Pain is an uncomfortable sensation that no one enjoys. There are many reasons individual an may experience this type of discomfort. For example, injury, exhaustion, or illness can cause pain. In certain instances, no obvious reason can be found for this symptom, in which case it is typically referred to as idiopathic. Symptoms may be acute, which means they occur on a temporary basis, or they may be continuous and chronic, meaning they vary in severity from one day to another but never go into permanent remission. Toledo pain management programs can assist patients to deal with this uncomfortable symptom.

A plan for those suffering from this condition is typically based on the underlying disorder responsible for the painful symptoms. One's primary health care practitioner will consider whether or not it is chronic or acute and base the course of treatment on this and other aspects. In some instances, the patient will benefit from physical therapy, while other individuals will require medication.

A prescription for a TENS machine may be recommended for some patients. A TENS machine is a device that transmits electric impulses throughout the problem area, which in turn interfere with the brain's ability to perceive pain. In some cases, holistic treatments are suggested as well, including massage, chiropractic care and acupuncture.

Some individuals find relief through holistic therapies such as the aforementioned acupuncture. The latter may interrupt the transmission of painful stimulus, according to numerous complementary and alternative practitioners. However, traditional medical care should never be shunned in lieu of holistic treatments.

Before an effective therapy is found, it may be necessary for one to try several different treatments. This is because a plan that provides positive results for one person may be of little or no good to another. Surgery is sometimes necessary in severe cases, provided all other treatments have been tried to no avail.

If medication is prescribed, most health care practitioners will begin with the mildest drug and only move on to more potent formulas if the patient does not experience relief. The first medication most physicians prescribed is ibuprofen or another type of non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs. Such analgesics do not interfere with one's level of consciousness or cognitive abilities, as do other classes of drugs such as narcotics or opioid analgesics. However, in certain cases the latter are necessary as well.

When drugs are used in combination with chiropractic care or physical therapy, most patients experience at least mild relief from their symptoms. In order to receive optimum benefits from such therapy, however, it is essential for one to attend all regularly scheduled sessions on a consistent basis. It is also important for the patient to use his or her medicine precisely as recommended by the doctor.

One or more of the treatments listed above may be included in a Toledo pain management program. Patients should carefully choose a doctor after reading online reviews about different practitioners and networks and completing appropriate research. Anyone who suffers from this kind of discomfort should schedule an appointment with a health care provider in order to receive a precise diagnosis and pursue an appropriate plan of care.