Interventional Pain Management, Ways to Overcome Pain for Those Who Don't Like Taking Medication

Pain management is complex, personal, and different for each patient depending on the health condition they have. People who experience pain will try to reduce the pain they suffer, because pain will affect a person's quality of life. And currently, interventional pain management (IPM) is available which can support more optimal pain management and treatment for various pain cases.

What is Interventional Pain Management?
Interventional Pain Management is an action performed on someone who is experiencing pain with a minimally invasive approach. This action is carried out with the help of tools to treat acute and chronic pain in the long term or permanently. This pain intervention aims to reduce, eliminate, or prevent pain in someone.

There are 3 techniques that can be used to implement IPM. The choice of technique depends on the type of pain, health condition, and the severity of the patient's pain, namely:
1. Inject medication at the location causing the pain
Injections can be in the form of steroids which are useful for completely reducing inflammation at the origin of the pain. Apart from steroids, regenerative medicine (Platelet Rich Plasma & Prolotherapy) can also be given, namely medicine that repairs tissue structure, for example muscles & tendons that are damaged and become a source of pain. Medication administration must be carried out using ultrasound & C-Arm guidance so that it is precisely at the source of the pain.

2. Nerve Block
Nerve blocks disrupt nerve signals to the brain that help relieve pain. Nerve blocks are performed using ultrasound & C-Arm guidance towards the nerve where the pain originates, so it can reduce pain for several weeks or months. In some cases, it can even be a permanent block, depending on the technique & medication used.

3. Radiofrequency Ablation/Neuromodulation
Radiofrequency waves are used to deactivate/calm the nerve tissue that transmits pain signals, so that the pain signals emitted from the origin of the pain are reduced. These radiofrequency waves are produced by a special device & delivered through a needle which is directed towards the nerve where the pain originates using ultrasound & C-Arm guidance.

Pain Conditions that Require IPM
Interventional Pain Management as a further pain management option can be considered in patients with the following conditions:
1. Experiencing acute, chronic pain & cancer, especially if medical treatment (painkillers) is unsuccessful in reducing the existing pain.
2. The patient has been using painkillers for a long time, as a result there are side effects from using the medication, for example stomach and kidney problems.
3. Not being able to take pain medication due to allergies, kidney problems, digestive disorders, etc.
4. Have had surgery, but still experience pain.
5. Want to avoid surgery whenever possible.

So, Hermina's friends, for Hermina's friends who often experience pain and don't like taking medication, getting pain intervention can be an option for treatment, because pain intervention without taking medication can be done at the source of the pain. Don't forget to always consult a doctor for pain cases to obtain proper diagnosis and medical treatment.