How to Manage Your Pain in Phoenix – 4 Pains, 4 solutions

Phoenix is well known for magnificent orange and purple desert sunsets, hot summer nights (but it’s a dry heat!) and loads of high quality golf courses. What you might not know, is that Phoenix is also home to a plethora of pain management doctors.

Seeking out a doctor to manage your pain might be necessary if you have long term, chronic conditions that need more attention than your primary care doctor can provide. However, you might have a chronic condition that can be managed with a simple solution. Here are 4 pains and 4 solutions to help you get through the day.

Acid Reflux Pain

Imagine a burning sensation in your throat and chest due to stomach acid creeping up into your esophagus. If this sounds like something familiar to you, then you likely suffer from acid reflux pain, just like over 30% of the population does.

If you are lucky, over the counter prescriptions might ease some of the pain, or the avoidance of certain acidic foods might help too. When the condition is chronic, more extreme measures may need to be taken.

If you are into home remedies, here are some of the most popular methods to combat acid reflux:

  • Apple Cider Vinegar: adding 2 tsp to ¼ water and ingesting will help lower your body’s pH level.
  • Lemons: the same idea here as with apple cider vinegar, drinking juiced lemons will help naturally lower your pH level. Keep in mind that you may need more than just one cup to do the trick.
  • Betaine HCL: This is a supplement that is basically a replacement acid for what is missing in your stomach. Check with your doctor before beginning this supplement.
  • Baking Soda: More of a last resort situation, baking soda can be mixed by using ½ tsp in ¼ cup of water. You can repeat in 5-7 minutes if it does not provide relief.

Other things to consider if you suffer from acid reflux pain is to find the root cause. This may require an in depth conversation with your doctor if all your options have been exhausted. Surgery is a last resort, but it can be necessary and helpful.

Migraine Pain

Headaches are the worst and migraines are even more annoying. If you suffer from migraines, it can wreak havoc on your life. Migraines can be triggered by an endless list of things.

Likely you have tried everything to soothe those head pains, but here is a short list of home remedies to try:

  • Ice, dark room and a fan: try cooling your head down and taking the light down a few notches or straight to pitch dark.
  • Caffeine: A little jolt might help release the tension.
  • Sleep: if at all possible, just go to bed (but consider this before taking a swig of coffee).
  • Aromatherapy: essential oils are enormously popular and there are scents that might help stave off the pain.

In the end, most people can identify their migraine triggers and do their best to avoid them. Sometimes diet can trigger them or the scent of an unpleasant perfume. Either way, work on keeping a diary to pinpoint the cause to prevent them before they even start.

If migraines persist, your doctor or even a pain specialist might be able to further diagnose the cause of your head pain.

Back Pain

The most common pain condition that affects millions of Americans and many right here in Phoenix is back pain. It might only be temporary but it can quickly turn into chronic pain.

If you are starting to experience back pain or have been for some time, here are some options to try:

  • Rest and NSAIDs: one of the first things to always give a shot is just some good old fashioned rest and over the counter pain medication.
  • Physical Therapy: perhaps you need to give your back some therapy and strengthening.
  • Injections: for some, relief comes in the form of a needle. Pain injections are common and be extremely useful.
  • Radiofrequency Ablation: this pain treatment method uses an electrical current produced by radio waves and heats up a small area of nerve tissue. This decreases the pain signals that your back nerves receive.

Knee Pain

Coming in a close second, painful knees are also bothersome to many Americans and Phoenicians alike. Your knees are subject to overexertion, injuries, disease and even just aging takes a toll on the joint. In Phoenix, many people need a visit with a pain doctor to manage their knee pain.

Treatments for knee pain can include:

  • Physical therapy: stretching and strengthening your knees can help reduce pain.
  • Injections: these are treatments that introduce supplemental fluids (hyaluronic acid) to lubricate and coat the knees’ joints. If your knee pain is caused by osteoarthritis, this may be a viable, effective option.
  • Surgery: Of course depending on your particular situation, knee surgery might the treatment of choice.

Bottom Line

The bottom line is that pain of any sort is just not fun. It can cause a host of other problems that just do not have to be necessary. Most likely if you have chronic pain, you need a pain specialist.

In Phoenix, the first option should always be Summa Pain Care. We listen, can offer new approaches to your pain and only want to provide you with effective treatment options. Contact us today!

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