If you were hurt in a car accident in Miami, you may experience lingering, chronic pain beyond the initial treatment you received for your injuries. Experts from the Mayo Clinic indicate that there are multiple medication options to alleviate the discomfort, such as acetaminophen, some NSAIDS, and other over-the-counter drugs. You may even receive a prescription for pain from your doctor, since narcotics, antidepressants, and steroids can be effective against pain. However, if you are looking for some alternative remedies for persistent soreness, some new advances in pain treatment may be of interest.
You can read on for some information about the latest in care for chronic pain, though you might be concerned about the costs. Consult with a Miami car accident attorney about seeking compensation for your medical care, but here are a few options to discuss with your doctor.
Chronic Pain Treatment Focuses on the Nervous System
At the outset, you should understand the objective behind alternative pain therapies. Instead of treating only the affected body part, your physician may develop an approach that focuses on how the spinal cord and other components of the nervous system transmit pain messages to the brain – thus creating the sensation of discomfort.
If the pain is not alleviated, the brain and nervous system will continue to exchange these messages; over time, you could become more sensitive and the intensity of pain seems to increase. Advancements in brain imaging can provide insight on where these sensations are occurring, enabling your doctor to implement a mind-body strategy to relieve chronic pain.
Four Treatment Options for Managing Chronic Pain
While you and your doctor may develop a plan for care that does not include drugs, some of the most successful approaches encompass medication plus other forms of treatment. Through one or more of the following strategies, you may be able to avoid surgery to ease chronic pain:
- Radio frequency ablation, in which a needle inserted at the affected site sends electric current to eliminate discomfort over series of treatments lasting three to six months;
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation that alleviates pain through an electric current sent via a patch through the skin;
- Pain “pacemakers,” which are implanted to stimulate the spinal cord and block pain messages from being sent to the brain; and,
- A spinal drug pump that administers a direct dose of narcotics, steroids, and other pain medications with the push of a button. The benefit is that these medications take effect quickly since they do not go through the digestive system.
Speak to a Miami Car Accident Lawyer for Free
You should talk to your doctor about the best ways to alleviate pain after an auto collision, but keep in mind that you may be able to recoup the medical costs. You might also recover compensation for your lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. To learn more about your legal remedies, please contact Gerson & Schwartz, PA. We can schedule a no-cost consultation to discuss your circumstances at our offices in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach.