Tests & Treatments
Many different treatments can ease pain. Medicines are the most common treatment. But to feel better, you will need to do more than take medicine, such as reducing your stress level or changing how you think.
You also can try physical therapy, relaxation, acupuncture, and other ways to feel better. Talk with your doctor about what mix of treatments might work best for you.
Your treatment depends on several things, including:
- How bad your pain is (based on what you tell your doctor).
- How long you've had pain.
- The type of pain you have. For example, you might take different medicine for joint pain than you would for nerve pain.
- Other health problems you may have.
If you have pain for a long time, your treatment may change over time.
Medicines to treat pain
Medicines can help you get better and can even save your life. But they can also be dangerous, especially if you don't take them the right way. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
Several types of medicines can be used to treat pain. Most of these medicines can treat more than one kind of pain. So you may need to try a couple of medicines to see which works best for you. Your doctor will work with you to find the right types and dosage of medicine. You may take more than one kind of medicine at the same time.
Medicines for different types of pain
Examples
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Types of pain
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Acetaminophen:
- Example: Tylenol
- Relieves mild to moderate pain but doesn't reduce inflammation
- Often used for short-term (acute) pain
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- Muscle, joint, and bone pain
- Organ pain
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Corticosteroids:
- Examples: dexamethasone and prednisone
- Relieves inflammation that can cause pain
- May be given as a pill or shot
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- Muscle, joint, and bone pain
- Can be used for many types of pain caused by inflammation
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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) :
- Examples: aspirin (such as Bayer), ibuprofen (such as Advil), and naproxen (such as Aleve)
- Relieves pain and inflammation
- May be used for short- or long-term (chronic) pain
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- Muscle, joint, and bone pain
- Organ pain
- Can be used for many types of pain
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Anticonvulsants:
- Examples: carbamazepine (such as Tegretol), gabapentin (such as Neurontin), and topiramate (such as Topamax)
- May be used for long-term pain
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Opioid pain relievers :
- Examples: acetaminophen and hydrocodone (such as Norco) and morphine (such as Kadian)
- Used to treat cancer pain
- Used for severe short-term pain (such as from injury or after surgery)
- May be used for long-term pain
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- Can be used for many types of pain
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Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressants:
- Examples: duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (such as Effexor)
- Often used to treat nerve pain, such as from fibromyalgia
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- Can be used for many types of pain
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Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants:
- Examples: citalopram (such as Celexa), fluoxetine (such as Prozac), and sertraline (Zoloft)
- May be used for nerve pain caused by diabetes
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Tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants:
- Examples: amitriptyline, desipramine (such as Norpramin), and nortriptyline (Pamelor)
- May be used for long-term pain
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- Can be used for many types of pain
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NMDA receptor antagonists:
- Examples: memantine (Namenda)
- May be used for nerve pain
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All medicines have side effects. For more information, see the Side Effects of Pain Medicines section of this topic.
Learn more about:
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Which questions to ask about your medicines.
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How to take medicines as prescribed.
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How to get rid of medicines.
Other treatments
You may want to try other ways to help you relax and ease pain. These may include:
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Acupuncture. Very thin needles are put into the skin at certain places on your body to relieve pain.
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Biofeedback. You may use this to help control muscle tension, heart rate, and other reactions to pain.
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Heat or cold. These can help arthritis. You also can use heat or cold for sore muscles and other aches.
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Hypnosis. This may help you focus your mind on something other than your pain.
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Massage. This can reduce muscle tension.
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Meditation. This may help you focus your mind on something other than your pain. It also can reduce stress.
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Physical therapy. This treatment can improve how you move and your overall fitness.
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Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS). A mild electrical current is used to relieve pain.
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Yoga. This may increase your strength and how well you move. It also can reduce stress.
For more information, see the topic Complementary Medicine.
Reducing stress
Stress can make pain worse. It can tighten your muscles, which can cause headaches and pain in your neck, shoulders, and back.
Try these methods to reduce stress and pain:
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Breathing exercises for relaxation
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Doing guided imagery to relax
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Doing meditation
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Doing progressive muscle relaxation
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Managing your time
- Reducing stress by being assertive
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Practicing yoga to relax
For more information, see the topic Stress Management.
Changing how you think
How you think can affect how you feel. You may be able to reduce your pain by stopping negative thoughts. You can change what you say to yourself about your pain. To help your outlook, try the methods described in these topics:
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Stop Negative Thoughts: Getting Started
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Anxiety: Stop Negative Thoughts
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Depression: Stop Negative Thoughts
For more information, see the topic Stop Negative Thoughts: Choosing a Healthier Way of Thinking.