Do You Have Scar Pain? Learn How a Pain Management Doctor Can Help

Did you know your brain doesn’t feel pain?

While the brain itself doesn’t feel pain, our bodies most definitely react to pain. Whether it’s stubbing our toe or hitting our head, sharp pain can knock the wind out of you. 

What do you do if the pain never seems to fade? Scar pain seems to last forever, and it can leave anyone feeling frustrated. Luckily, a pain management doctor can help.

Below you’ll find out how pain management doctors can help with your scar tissue pain. Don’t ignore the pain any longer. 

What Is Scar Tissue Pain?

When healthy fibrous tissues are damaged, thick tissues take their place. This replacement tissue is scar tissue. Scar tissue doesn’t always create pain, but it can create scar tissue pain over time as the nerve endings regenerate.

Scar tissue is created from a wound, cut, or internal disease. You may also notice pain in old scar tissue from a past surgery. The severity of the pain depends on the location and size of the scar.

Symptoms of scar tissue pain include sensitivity, decreased range of motion around the scar, redness, itchiness, and inflammation. 

What Does a Pain Management Doctor Do?

Pain management doctors are specially trained to assess, diagnose, and treat extreme pain. Many people with chronic pain and pain after accidents seek help from these physicians. They can also help with creating scar tissue treatment plans. 

They are equipped with a large toolbox of knowledge to first discover underlying conditions causing your pain, and then they will help you relieve the pain. Pain management doctors use interventional treatments and will recommend you to other therapies. 

Some pain management doctors prescribe medication, help with weight loss plans, or recommend you for steroid injections. The type of treatments and referrals you receive depends on the underlying conditions and the type and severity of the pain.

How Can They Help With Scar Pain?

There are a variety of therapies and treatments a pain management doctor may recommend for scar tissue pain. Start your journey to relief by scheduling a consultation with a local pain management office. 

At your appointment, describe the injury or surgery that caused your scar tissue. Make a point to mention the symptoms you feel and how long it’s been since having the scar. 

The doctor will then make scar tissue pain treatment plans based on what you’ve reported. 

Physical Therapy

A major symptom of scar tissue pain is a reduction in mobility. Due to scars on locations such as your knee or shoulder, you may not be able to fully extend your arm or leg. You may also notice tightness or creaky noises when trying to move.

Physical therapy has helped many people with these complications. A physical therapist will create a list of exercises for you to perform that strengthen your muscles and joints. You may have to perform these exercises in a clinic or at home on your own. 

If it’s going to be a while before your pain management doctor is able to get you in with a physical therapist, ask for a list of exercises you’re able to do safely at home in the meantime. 

Injections, Topicals, and Dermabrasion

Some steroid injections are great for surface-level scarring. They’re able to reduce some of the pain and inflammation around a healed wound.

Your pain management doctor may even send you to get Botox. While Botox injections won’t cosmetically clear up your scar, they’ll lower your pain level. Your muscles around the scar will relax with Botox injections. 

Serums containing large amounts of vitamin C reduce minor scar tissue pain. If you’re searching for an over-the-counter solution, try an antihistamine cream.

Dermabrasion, or other dermatologic procedures, are also helpful in reducing scar tissue pain. Many of these procedures require multiple sessions and may cause slight swelling directly after a procedure. 

Massage and Compression

To reduce swelling and improve mobility, your pain management doctor may recommend seeing a massage therapist or chiropractor. It’s important to inform a massage therapist of your pain before receiving any treatment. 

Your pain doctor may also suggest picking up some compression wraps from the local drugstore. These wraps help reduce swelling and might even shrink the scar. 

Surgery

In some extreme cases, corrective surgery is the solution. Surgery is often saved as a last resort, especially if the original scar is the result of past surgery.

Corrective surgery techniques often used include skin grafting or excision. Surgical excision is the removal of tissue by cutting it with a knife. Skin grafts involve taking skin from one area of the body and moving it to another. 

If you’re approved for surgery, find resources to help with post-surgery pain management. It’s important to plan ahead and listen to your surgeon’s instructions. 

Other Solutions

Besides the ones mentioned above, there’s a variety of other solutions and therapies your pain management doctor may recommend. 

Your doctor may mention doing yoga on top of your physical therapy routine. Yoga helps strengthen muscles within your body while increasing mobility. It also reduces stress. 

You might even give acupuncture a go! Thin needles are inserted into your body at specific points. It’s been said to relieve pain. 

As you get ready for the day, use some lotion on your scars. Moisturizers soften the skin and can reduce pain around scar tissue. 

If at any point you notice your pain significantly increasing due to treatment, alert your doctor immediately. It’s important to listen to your body. 

See a Pain Management Doctor for Scar Pain

Are you experiencing scar pain? Schedule a consultation with a local pain management doctor. They’ll help you find the treatment you need. 

Scar tissue pain can cause swelling, itchiness, redness, and reduced mobility. There are a variety of therapies out there to reduce the pain including physical therapy, topical solutions, and steroid injections. It’s important to never ignore the pain and seek medical assistance as soon as possible. 

If you’re seeking pain relief, check out the rest of our site. Contact us today to set up an appointment with one of our amazing physicians.