• Published on: Sep 23, 2021
  • 4 minute read
  • By: Second Medic Expert

Treating Chronic Pain Medications, Relieve Chronic Pain

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What Is Pain Management?

Pain management is all about easing the suffering caused by chronic, acute, and cancer pain. Pain management takes on many forms because there are so many factors that can cause or contribute to pain.

Pain management is an important aspect of healthcare and should always involve a doctor or other licensed provider. It differs from pain relief in the sense that pain relief does not necessarily refer to an entire spectrum of care whereas pain management does.

Pain management is the use of medication, therapeutic treatments, psychotherapy, or any other means to relieve pain during its various stages.

Pain management may take place in diverse clinical settings, include analgesic combination treatment with opioids and an adjuvant drug. The initial step of prescribing analgesics for acute pain is important because it can affect whether post-surgical patients will be successfully transitioned back to their pre-surgical functional level at discharge. A 2006 survey found that 43% of adults living with daily chronic pain feel neglected by doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.

Pain awareness is generated by the vast network of nerves that permeate our bodies. When pain neurons are stimulated, they send signals to the brain which, in turn, will produce an effector response. The objective of pain management is to interrupt or inhibit these impulses before they reach their target.

The use of analgesics (pain-numbing medication) gives immediate relief for many types of pain and also lessens sensitivity so that minor stimuli are not felt as acutely as often or at all. Examples include topical analgesics like calamine lotion or alum; non-narcotic medications like acetaminophen; and narcotic medications like codeine (to be used under medical supervision).

Pain management is a risk management strategy used to combat the growing opioid epidemic. Relying on a single treatment option that only masks the pain puts more people at risk of addiction and makes it harder for them to function in everyday life. On the other hand, using more than one method of pain relief may have a synergistic effect - for instance, while medications may suppress acute pain, physical therapy can help patients find ways to avoid future injuries which would add to their chronic pain burden. Considering this, it's often suggested that clinicians coordinate care with individuals, so they have diverse means of managing their pain.

Pain management refers to the treatments available for different people experiencing chronic or acute pain. Pain management can involve medications, physical therapy, massage therapy, meditation, and more. Consult with your doctor on what treatments are best for you-or to explore these options on your own to better understand which treatment may be right for you!

Pain management is the use of medications and other treatments to control pain. Pain management is a medical approach used to provide relief from pain. Pain management may include measures such as anesthesia, neuropathic pain medications, physical therapy or other treatments. In some cases, people may be able to manage pain through activities such as yoga and meditation.

The goal of pain management is to allow a person who has constant painful symptoms the opportunity to achieve a high quality of life while still being able to function in their daily routine. Some individuals can maintain this status indefinitely while others experience periods where the efficacy of treatment wears off and certain chronic conditions start progressing again due to continued inflammation or damage in the body. The long-term prognosis depends on how severe the cause for sensory input was originally and other factors that have been enabled by treatment

It's important to distinguish the sensation of pain from its cause. Pain is a physical response that is sent by nerve cells to the brain when they are damaged, inflamed, or irritated. It acts as an indicator of findings of danger or harm to the body. The two main types of pain are "nociceptive" - telling you about potential injuries - and "neuropathic" feeling caused by disease rather than injury. Neuropathic pain can be difficult because it has so many different forms and underlying causes that have not been identified in most cases but may include post-shingles wounds or damage due to diabetes, chemotherapy or infections with HIV. Acute neuropathic pain often requires medications for relief including

Pain management is a strategy for controlling chronic pain. It involves finding and treating the underlying cause of the pain as well as preventing further injury to the area, using techniques such as physical therapy.

The first step in long-term pain management is always assessment and treatment of the underlying cause(s). For example, if we find that someone has bone cancer then we treat their cancer with surgery and chemotherapy more than we worry about treating their pain directly. Other common causes might be post-surgery recovery or nerve damage due to trauma or disease. The second step is prevention and education.

Pain management is the act of making it easier for you to get through pain or feel better during your pain. Whatever this might look like - such as sitting in a warm bath, taking a hot shower, meditating - there is no "right" way to manage pain except by what works best for YOU. It may sound silly, but what can work best for one person won't necessarily work best for another and that's okay.  Quality of life and happiness matter more than anything else and deserve our attention!

Pain management is a nurse's specialty that allows patients to recover with less discomfort and pain. They do this by using analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and local anesthetics that reduce or suppress the sensation of pain.

Pain Management nurses specifically focus on alleviating symptoms and enhancing recovery in interdisciplinary healthcare teams. The goal is for patients to be efficient at returning home within 24 hours from surgery so they can resume activities of daily living while achieving the improvements require after major surgery. Achieving these goals will dramatically improve quality of life while providing continuity of care from one provider to another between providers visits.

Pain management is a method of controlling or relieving pain, especially when there are no effective remedies. Pain management encompasses many different techniques, including analgesics (drugs that relieve pain) and adjunctive therapies, which include physical therapy and behavioral treatments. 

Cannabis has been an empirically recognized medicinal plant since time immemorial for its analgesic effects in reducing chronic neuropathic pain in otherwise treatment-resistant individuals. Previous studies have also suggested that the endocannabinoid system provides a promising therapeutic target in mitigating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

There are many different techniques for effectively managing pain without the unwanted side effects of medications. The following are recommended, in order from less to most aggressive,

1. Acupuncture - acupuncture stimulates certain nerves that lessen or even stop nociception signals.

2. Trigger point therapy - massaging muscles may release trigger points that increase pressure on surrounding tissues, causing referral pain elsewhere in the body, i.e., headache or back pain

3. Yoga- this may include focusing on breathing exercises and poses that stretch tight muscles to help resolve chronic tension

4. Breathing exercises- If you suffer stress-induced headaches or other symptoms associated with overstimulation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), it might be time to try

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Lack of sunlight and mental health link

Lack of Sunlight and Mental Health Link: What You Should Know

Do you ever feel gloomy, tired, or anxious during the rainy season or in winter when sunlight is low? You're not alone. There’s a growing body of research that shows a strong link between lack of sunlight and mental health problems—including depression, anxiety, and fatigue.

In this blog, we’ll break down this connection in simple terms and help you understand why stepping outside for just 20 minutes of sunshine could boost your mood naturally.

 

Why Is Sunlight So Important?

Sunlight does more than just brighten our days. It plays a critical role in our physical and mental well-being by:

  • Regulating sleep through the circadian rhythm
     

  • Boosting serotonin, the “feel-good” hormone
     

  • Helping the body produce vitamin D, which supports mood and immunity
     

  • Improving alertness and reducing fatigue
     

When we don’t get enough sunlight—whether due to indoor lifestyles, long winters, or pollution—our mental health may suffer.

 

The Science Behind the Mood-Sunlight Connection

Sunlight impacts the brain's chemistry, especially serotonin and melatonin levels.

  • Serotonin improves mood, helps you feel calm, and supports focus.
     

  • Melatonin controls sleep and is produced when it's dark.
     

When you lack sunlight, serotonin production drops, while melatonin levels rise earlier in the day. This imbalance can cause:

  • Low energy
     

  • Sadness or depression
     

  • Irritability
     

  • Oversleeping
     

  • Poor concentration
     

 

What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs at certain times of the year—usually in winter when sunlight is limited.

Common SAD symptoms:

  • Feeling hopeless or down most of the day
     

  • Sleeping more than usual
     

  • Craving carbs and gaining weight
     

  • Losing interest in activities you usually enjoy
     

  • Low motivation and energy
     

SAD is real, and it affects millions worldwide—especially in places with long winters or low sunlight.

 

The Role of Vitamin D

Sunlight helps your skin make vitamin D, which is essential for your mood and immune function. Low levels of vitamin D are linked to:

  • Depression
     

  • Fatigue
     

  • Brain fog
     

  • Weak immunity
     

How do I know if I have low vitamin D?

You can take a Vitamin D blood test—available through platforms like SecondMedic.com with Thyrocare home collection.

 

Signs You May Be Affected by Low Sunlight

  • You feel sad or “off” during cloudy or winter days
     

  • You avoid going outdoors
     

  • You feel sleepy all day
     

  • You lose interest in daily tasks
     

  • You are deficient in vitamin D
     

If you check more than 2 of these, it’s time to focus on getting more light.

 

Simple Ways to Get More Sunlight and Boost Mental Health

1. Get Morning Sunlight

Spend 15–30 minutes in direct morning sunlight every day. This resets your internal clock and boosts serotonin.

2. Open Curtains and Use Natural Light Indoors

Let natural light into your home or workspace whenever possible.

3. Take a Walk Outside

Even a short daily walk can improve your mood.

4. Consider a Vitamin D Supplement

If your doctor confirms deficiency, a supplement may help restore mood balance.

5. Use Light Therapy

In areas with very little sunlight, light therapy lamps mimic natural light and can reduce SAD symptoms.

 

Related Lab Tests (Available on SecondMedic)

To understand how sunlight impacts your health, consider these lab tests:

Vitamin D Test

Check your vitamin D levels and confirm if sunlight deficiency is affecting your mood.

Thyroid Profile

Low sunlight can affect thyroid function, which is closely tied to mental health.

CRP Test (C-Reactive Protein)

To check if inflammation is contributing to fatigue or mood issues.

All of these are available for home sample collection through SecondMedic.com.

 

Conclusion

It’s easy to overlook how much sunlight affects our mind. But science clearly shows that regular exposure to natural light improves mood, energy, and mental clarity.

Whether you're feeling low or want to prevent future problems, just a few minutes of daily sunlight can make a big difference.

If you’re concerned about the lack of sunlight and mental health link, start by stepping outside—your brain will thank you.

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