Manage Pain after Surgery- A Complete Guide : EPSI, Phoenix, AZ

 

About 48 million surgical inpatient procedures were performed in a single year. In many cases, surgery can help you avoid pain or disability in the future. Still, you’re bound to experience pain in the days after your surgery.

Chronic pain can impact your quality of life. You might struggle to complete work, play with your kids, or complete daily functions.

With these tips on post-surgical pain management, you can ease your pain and get back to living.

Discover the best methods for chronic pain relief after any surgery with these tips today.

Plan Ahead

You don’t have to wait until your pain is severe to start using these pain management tips. In fact, waiting too long can make it more difficult for you to ease your pain.

Instead, pay attention to your surgeon’s instructions. They’ll indicate how often you should take your pain medications. Otherwise, pay attention to any side effects you experience.

Ask your doctor what you can do to minimize your side effects. 

You can also plan ahead by talking to your doctor about your previous experience with pain. What helps you manage your pain in the past? What hasn’t worked?

Reviewing your medical history can help your doctor determine the best course of action for your situation.

Talk to your doctor about the medications they want you to take, too. What medications and supplements are you currently taking? They’ll need this list to help you avoid interactions. 

You might need to change your drug regimen before your surgery.

Talk to your doctor about your current drug and alcohol use. Are you recovering from addiction? Are you currently abusing alcohol or drugs?

This information will help them determine which medications you should take.

If you’re at any point concerned, let your doctor know. They’ll help you understand how to safely take your post-surgical pain medications.

Pain Medications After Surgery

After surgery, your doctor might prescribe multiple analgesics to ease your pain. Pay attention to the type, delivery, and dose for each medication.

Many doctors prescribe opioids, which can diminish your body’s perception of pain. These can include:

  • Hydromorphone
  • Oxycodone
  • Morphine
  • Tramadol
  • Fentanyl

Opioids are addictive. Stick to the dose your doctor prescribes. Otherwise, you could experience side effects such as:

  • Constipation
  • Sedation
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Respiratory depression

You could develop a tolerance or dependence on the drugs, too. If you experience any of these side effects, speak with your doctor right away.

When taking opioids:

  • Take as directed
  • Tell your doctor when your pain is under control
  • Avoid using alcohol
  • Store the medication safely
  • Safely dispose of unused medications
  • Don’t share the medication with anyone else

Your doctor might suggest nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as well. Many of these medications, like Advil and Aleve, are available over the counter. Make sure to get your doctor’s approval before using NSAIDs.

Head to Bed

After surgery, your body needs to heal. Make sure to get plenty of sleep. Sleeping will give your body the chance to recharge.

It can also help you cope with or reduce your pain symptoms.

It’s normal to experience insomnia after surgery. You might need to talk to your doctor to find a medication that will help you sleep.

Otherwise, maintain good sleep hygiene. Find a dark, quiet place to relax. Stick to a schedule to maintain your circadian rhythm. 

Get Active

Don’t rush to get physically active right away. Instead, speak with your doctor to determine when it’s safe. Slowly start increasing your physical activity over time.

Don’t push yourself beyond a few minutes a day.

Increasing your physical activity levels will help you recover.

Otherwise, try to avoid sitting in one place for too long. Instead, walk around every hour or so. Moving around will help you avoid stiffness and blood clots.

If you’re in too much pain to stand, let your doctor know.

Brace Yourself

You can brace the surgical incision to minimize your pain as well. When you stand, cough, or sneeze, hold the surgery site. This can help minimize stress on the area.

It can also reduce your chance of a severe complication, such as evisceration or dehiscence. 

Reduce Stress

Reducing your stress levels can also help reduce your post-surgical pain. Think of surgery as a physical stressor. Reducing your emotional stress levels can minimize your overall pain.

Try to avoid any people or situations that often cause you pain after the accident. Try yoga, edition, or breathing techniques as well.

Work With the Pros

You can also visit pain relief experts for chronic pain relief after your surgery. Our back pain doctors near Mesa, AZ are trained to help.

They can review a list of treatments that might help relieve your pain. 

First, your doctors will determine where your pain is centralized. For example, let’s say you’re experiencing back pain and sciatica. Your pain management doctors might suggest:

  • Lumbar transforaminal epidural injection
  • Spinal cord stimulation
  • Lumbar medial branch block
  • Kyphoplasty
  • Lumbar radiofrequency ablation
  • Lumbar epidural steroid injection

In some cases, chronic pain can fail to respond to medications and other forms of treatment. Injecting pain medication straight into the surgical site can help block pain. The bundle of nerves that carry pain signals will no longer transmit to the brain.  

Make sure to speak with your back pain doctors near Mesa, AZ about your surgery in detail. They can help develop a treatment plan that’s ideal for you.

With their help, you can discover chronic pain relief.

Goodbye, Aches and Pains: Your Guide to Post-Surgical Pain Management

Don’t let your post-surgical pain control your life. Instead, consider these pain management tips. With these tips, you can get the help you need through chronic pain relief. 

Instead of letting your pain control your life, you can take control again!

Need help managing your chronic pain after surgery? Visit our back pain doctors in Phoenix, AZ. We’re here to help.

Contact us today to get started.

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