August 5, 2010

Natural Ways To Manage Pain After Surgery

Posted in Category : Common Ailments

There are several ways by which you can get pain relief after surgery. You will probably experience some amount of pain after a surgery but steps will be taken to ensure that you do not experience severe pain. Pain interferes with your ability to breathe deeply, and could possibly stop you from walking or performing activities that are necessary for your recovery. The pain will be managed according to the strength and type of pain it is. A pain management plan after surgery is usually decided upon after consultation with doctors, physiotherapists, clinical psychologists, acupuncturists and chiropractors. Given below are some techniques for pain relief after surgery.

  • Therapy: This can play an important role in pain management after surgery. Massage therapy helps to relax the muscles around the area of the surgery. A massage will also help to reduce inflammation and swelling around the place of the surgery. Psychological pain management techniques are helpful as well.
  • Pain Medication: These may be in the form of tablets or liquids. This will not get rid of your pain completely but will alleviate it to a level that allows you to breathe easily, eat well and also move around. Pain medication can also be given intravenously. Hospitals also offer a pain controlled analgesic (PCA), which allow you to give yourself a fixed dose by just pressing a button. This system has built in safeguards which will prevent you from overdosing your self.
  • Local Anesthetics: The doctor may inject local anesthetics directly into the wound or cut.
  • Cold and Heat Therapy: Both cold and heat therapy can help lessen surgical pain. It is advisable to check with your doctor as to which therapy is best for you.
  • Relaxation Techniques: Imaginary gaudiness and deep breathing, progressive muscular relaxation (PMR) is used to relax a patient.
  • Exercises: These are also good for pain relief after surgery. The exercises will consist of simple physical activities. If possible and after checking with your doctor, start moving as soon as possible after surgery. Being active could also help to lessen pain.
  • Epidural Analgesia: This is often used during labor and delivery and for lung surgery or joint replacement surgery. A catheter is inserted into the epidural space in the spinal canal. Such catheters can be left in to control post operative pain. Local anesthetics and opioid medications can be given through this.

It is essential that you inform your doctor about any pain you experience. Only then will he be able to help you to manage it and relive it. Do not move to any pain relief measures without consultation with your doctor as it could be hazardous to your health.