Medical Management
Medical Management
Medical management helps you take control of the medicines you're using and optimize their effects. Zeeshan Tayeb, MD, and his team at RegenLife in Cincinnati, Ohio, are highly trained professionals with many years of experience in medical management who believe that the best health care begins with a good relationship between patient and provider. To find out how you could benefit from their expertise in pharmacology and the use of medications in pain management, call RegenLife or book an appointment online today.
What is medical management?
Medical management is an important part of your rehabilitation from injury or disease and is essential for patients with chronic health conditions. It involves regularly reviewing and updating your prescriptions to ensure you're receiving optimal pharmaceutical treatment.
At RegenLife, treatment aims to minimize pain and interrupt the pain cycle, and the team uses medical management as part of a comprehensive approach to care.
Treatment goals focus on:
- Restoration of normal function
- Reduction in medication use
- Prevention of chronic symptom relapse
- Better quality of life
A variety of medications can help patients reach these goals. Medical management optimizes results while minimizing potential side effects.
What medications are used in the medical management of pain?
There's a vast range of medications that can be useful in treating pain. Our approach at RegenLife is tailored to your specific condition and needs:
Anti-inflammatories
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen offer both pain relief and a reduction in the tissue inflammation that so often causes pain. Steroids are more powerful anti-inflammatories, but they present a greater risk of side effects. Our team carefully monitors for potential side effects, especially in patients with kidney issues, heart disease, or digestive concerns.
Muscle Relaxants
Muscle relaxants like baclofen can relax tense, painful tissues, and some help block pain signals from overstimulated nerve endings. These medications are particularly helpful for acute back or neck pain involving muscle spasm, and are typically prescribed for short-term use to minimize side effects.
Antidepressants
Low-dose tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline are often effective in treating neuropathic (nerve) pain. They work at a lower dose than you'd need for an antidepressant effect. These medications can help regulate pain signals in the nervous system and improve sleep quality, which is often disrupted by chronic pain.
Anti-Seizure Medications
Originally developed to treat epilepsy, these medications have proven effective for nerve pain conditions like diabetic neuropathy, radiculopathy, and post-herpetic neuralgia. They work by calming overactive nerve signals that cause pain and reducing hypersensitivity in the nervous system.
Topical Pain Creams
One type of topical pain cream is anesthetic cream, typically containing lidocaine, that numbs pain for short periods. Another type is capsaicin cream, which contains a substance that causes an intense burning feeling when applied to the skin. Regular use can reduce the oversensitivity of nerve endings.
Sleep Medications and Sedatives
Sleep medications and sedatives such as prescription benzodiazepines or over-the-counter drugs like antihistamines that have a sedative effect can reduce pain and promote better sleep. Difficulty sleeping is a major cause of worsening pain, fatigue, and additional health problems.
How are opioids used in medical management?
Narcotics (opioids) can be useful to control more severe pain. At RegenLife, the team prefers to use long-acting opioids where possible, but short-acting opioids are also available if they're the best option for you.
These powerful painkillers are only used if there are no alternatives, due to the increased risk of side effects, particularly the fact that they can be highly addictive. If your provider recommends opioids for chronic pain management, you will be required to sign an opioid agreement.
While medications undoubtedly have a role to play in pain management, the team at RegenLife also emphasizes the many nonpharmacological strategies that are available.
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