6 noninvasive pain management strategies

A sports injury or even a persistent ache from everyday activities may slow you down and have you concerned about what it will take to recover. But before you fear the worst or get bogged down by perpetual pain, know that there are many noninvasive options that can help with pain management and recovery.

Endeavor Health sports medicine specialist Trevor Bullock, DO, sees and treats common and less typical injuries from head to toe, working collaboratively with patients to develop game plans to facilitate healing and a return to favorite activities.

When a patient comes in with a new injury or complaint of pain, Dr. Bullock will typically get X-rays to ensure an accurate diagnosis. He then has a thorough conversation with the patient to understand what activities or movements cause or exacerbate pain. This helps determine the diagnosis and plan to move forward.

Dr. Bullock shares six strategies to manage pain and restore mobility.

1. Physical therapy. “Physical therapy is a helpful first step for many cases,” said Dr. Bullock. Biomechanical forces can cause or further irritate many common problems like rotator cuff/shoulder injuries and knee pain. “Working on muscular balancing strength training and postural exercises can help correct and avoid further overuse injuries,” he added.
2. Medications. Over-the-counter pain medications can help with pain from an acute injury for a short period of time. However, Dr. Bullock does not recommend using these drugs for long periods of time as there are other risks associated with regular, long-term use. A short course of steroid medication can help decrease an inflammatory response and reduce swelling, and is often a good option for a new injury, said Dr. Bullock.
3. Weight reduction. If joint pain is an issue, maintaining a healthy body weight can make a big difference. “Weight plays a major role in knee issues. Like a tread on a tire, the more load they carry, the more quickly they can wear down,” explained Dr. Bullock. Moving up and down stairs, the impact on your knee is roughly four times your body weight. Losing excess weight can make a major difference for people with hip, knee and ankle issues, he added.
4. Bracing. Wearing a brace, or even a more minimalist approach with taping, can help support joints and offer some relief for those dealing with chronic joint or ligament issues. Compression sleeves worn on joints can provide a helpful proprioceptive (body’s sense of position or movement) reminder to limit quick movements and hopefully prevent aggravation of the joint.
5. Acupuncture and massage therapy. There is some evidence that acupuncture can help with pain from knee arthritis that has not responded to traditional treatment, said Dr. Bullock. Many patients also find relief with massage therapy and physical therapists often incorporate some forms of manual therapy in their work.
6. Injections. There are pros and cons to injectable steroids; they can work wonderfully to get rid of inflammation, but don’t cure the underlying problem. Hyaluronic acid or gel injections can be given every six months and have proven to be a great maintenance treatment for many people with knee arthritis, said Dr. Bullock.

The bottom line: Don’t wait too long.

“The best advice if you are having discomfort is to talk to your primary care physician or a specialist so you can understand what’s causing the pain and figure out the best way to manage it,” Dr. Bullock added. “If you put it off for a long time it can be harder to treat.”