Thursday, June 9, 2011

Mary Kneiser on Physical Medicine: Pain Management Basics

From Physical Medicine
Mary Kneiser’s field of study, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, also covers the field of Pain Management. Even after major surgery or treatment of serious injury, the patient may continue to feel pain. There are many ways to deal with and overcome pain—it is seen as part of the rehabilitation process as much as the treatment process. Pain Management remains an interdisciplinary approach for improving the quality of life of individuals who suffer pain on a daily basis. There are various approaches undertaken by different branches of specialty.

Professionals who have been trained in pain management or pain fellowship are most often involved in anesthesiology, neurology, psychiatrists, or physiatrists such as Mary Kneiser. Many practitioners focus their studies on the pharmacologic approach, such as epidural steroid injections, neurolytic blocks, spinal cord stimulators, and intrathecal drug delivery systems. However, in the last several years, there have been great advancements in other forms of procedures for pain, many of which are interventional.
From Physical Medicine
The various levels of medical pain experienced by patients have a variety of treatments. Mild pain is treated with paracetamol or acetaminophen, or any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID, such as ibuprofen). Mild to moderate pain is also treated this way, but sometimes the NSAID is combined with hydrocodone, a weak opoid, which can produce greater relief. Moderate to severe pain can be classified as acute or chronic, and this kind of distinction is usually where the treatment depends. Chronic pain medication is usually for long-lasting, ongoing pain, while Acute pain medication is given to those rapid pain onsets, perhaps from trauma or post-operative pains.


More insights to Mary Kneiser’s expertise on Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation can be found at her MaryKneiser.com/.
From Physical Medicine