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transcutaneous

Non-Drug Pain Management

What is pain?

Pain is a signal in your nervous system that something may be wrong. It is an unpleasant feeling, such as a prick, tingle, sting, burn, or ache. Pain may be sharp or dull. It may come and go, or it may be constant. You may feel pain in one area of your body, such as your back, abdomen, chest, pelvis, or you may feel pain all over.

There are two types of pain:

What are pain relievers?

Pain relievers are medicines that reduce or relieve pain. There are many different pain medicines, and each one has advantages and risks. Some are over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. Others are stronger medicines, which are available by prescription. The most powerful prescription pain relievers are opioids. They are very effective, but people who take them are at risk of addiction and overdose.

Because of the side effects and risks of pain relievers, you may want to try non-drug treatments first. And if you do need to take medicines, also doing some non-drug treatments may allow you to take a lower dose.

What are some non-drug treatments for pain?

There are many non-drug treatments that can help with pain. It is important to check with your health care provider before trying any of them:

Rotator Cuff Injuries

What is a rotator cuff?

Your rotator cuff is part of your shoulder joint. It's a group of muscles and tendons that holds the top part of your upper arm bone firmly in your shoulder socket. The rotator cuff keeps your shoulder stable when you move your arm in any direction.

What are rotator cuff injuries?

Rotator cuff injuries are common. Most of them are wear-and-tear injuries from doing the same arm movements over and over - especially reaching over your head. With time, the tissues in the rotator cuff break down, leading to these injuries:

Who is more likely to develop a rotator cuff injury?

Anyone can develop a rotator cuff injury. But certain people are more likely to have one:

What are the symptoms of rotator cuff injuries?

Rotator cuff injuries don't always cause pain. But when they do, the pain is often in the top part of your arm or shoulder. You may feel more pain when you:

Other symptoms from a torn rotator cuff may include:

How are rotator cuff injuries diagnosed?

To find out if you have a rotator cuff injury, your health care provider:

What are the treatments for rotator cuff injuries?

The best treatment for you depends on your age, how much your injury bothers you, and whether your injury was sudden or happened from wear and tear.

Treatments for rotator cuff injuries often include:

Treatments for rotator cuff tendinitis and bursitis may also include ultrasound therapy. Surgery may be an option if your shoulder doesn't feel better in 6 to 12 months.

Treatments for a torn rotator cuff may also include heat to the sore area or electrical stimulation of the nerves and muscles (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, TENS).

You provider may suggest surgery if your tear is large or is from a recent injury, or symptoms last for 6 to 12 months.

When should I see a health care provider for shoulder pain?

If certain activities bother your shoulder, it's best to stop doing them and check with your provider. That's because early treatment can prevent mild rotator cuff injuries from becoming more serious later on. If you your arm feels weak right after a sudden injury to your shoulder, see your provider as soon as possible.

Temporomandibular Disorders

What are temporomandibular disorders (TMDs)?

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a group of more than 30 conditions that affect your temporomandibular joints (TMJs). You have two TMJs; one on each side of your jaw. They connect your lower jaw to your skull.

TMDs can cause problems in your jaw joint and your muscles that control jaw movement. These problems can include pain, stiffness, and trouble chewing.

There are three main types of TMDs:

Many TMDs last only a short time and go away on their own. However, in some cases they can become chronic (long lasting)

What causes temporomandibular disorders (TMDs)?

Sometimes an injury to the jaw or TMJ can cause a TMD. But in most cases, the cause is not known.

Research suggests that certain factors may play a role in why a TMD starts and whether it will be long lasting:

Who is more likely to develop a temporomandibular disorder (TMD)?

Anyone can develop a TMD, but it is more common in women than in men. It is most common in women between 35 and 44 years old.

What are the symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs)?

The symptoms of TMDs may include:

How are temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) diagnosed?

There is no standard test used to diagnose TMDs, and some other conditions can cause some similar symptoms. This can make TMDs hard to diagnose.

To find out if you have a TMD, your health care provider or dentist:

What are the treatments for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs)?

For many people, the symptoms of TMD are temporary. To help you feel better, your provider or dentist may suggest that you:

If those do not help, your provider or dentist may suggest other treatments such as:

If you are still having severe symptoms from a TMD, your provider or dentist may suggest surgery, including implant surgery, or another procedure.

It's important to be careful, because sometimes surgery or another procedure may not work or may even make your symptoms worse. Before any surgery or other procedure, it is very important to get opinions from more than one provider and to completely understand the risks. If possible, get an opinion from a surgeon who specializes in treating TMDs.

NIH: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

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