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Suffering from pain? Available pain relief technologies are offered in medical settings, such as a doctor’s or physical therapist’s office or at home. Choosing a home pain relief device allows you to self-manage and relieve pain at home, at work, and sometimes on-the-go. These pain relief machines are helpful and easy to use, with no doctor appointments or medicines necessary. They do not contradict other treatments and can be used in addition to your regular pain regimen.
To help you choose your pain management device, we compared two leading home-use devices utilizing different technologies: Omron TENS unit and Solio Alfa Plus.
Solio Alfa Plus vs. Omron Tens Unit
| Solio Alfa Plus | Omron | |
| Radio Frequency | Yes | No |
| InfraRed | Yes | No |
| Soft Laser (LLLT) | Yes | No |
| Red Light | Yes | Yes |
| Therapeutic Penetration | 25mm / 1 inch | Electric pulses, no penetration |
| Heat | Up to 44 °C / 111°F | Some models with low heat surface |
About home-use pain relief devices
Pain of all types takes a toll. Pain relief devices for home use provide an effective way for many to treat their pain and live better.
Home-use devices can be helpful in treating various types of pain:
- Chronic pain relief
- Sports pain
- Trauma pain
- Menstrual pain
- Muscle pain
Although results may vary depending on the individual, the condition and the device, users of home-use pain relief devices report significant pain relief and faster healing.
Some of the advantages Solio and Omron devices have in common:
- Self-administered
- Easy to use
- Portable
- Lightweight and compact
- Non invasive
- Painless
- No need for prescription
- Drug free
- No side effects
- Safe
- Can be applied on different parts of the body to provide relief
Solio Alfa Plus and Omron TENS unit both aim to assist users eliminate or at least reduce their intake of pain medications, and improve their quality of life.
Technology
Omron TENS unit and Solio Alfa Plus differ in the type of technology they offer. Omron TENS units utilize electrotherapy, while Solio uses radiofrequency (RF) and light therapy that also produce heat.
Omron TENS unit
Omron TENS units utilize electrotherapy. According to Omron’s website, the Omron TENS devices offer pain relief for sore or aching muscles of the lower back, shoulder, arm, leg and more.
Electrical Energy
TENS, Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, is a technology that administers low voltage electrical current to the skin to create nerve stimulation and trigger pain relief response. There are several ways to deliver the electrical stimulation from the TENS unit to the body, such as electrodes that are placed on the skin around or near the area treated for pain. The electrical impulses are believed to reduce the body’s ability to transmit pain signals, thus helping to reduce pain.
TENS units are effective for some people, but the level and duration of pain relief changes from person to person. Some users experience relief almost immediately after the device is on, which stops shortly after treatment, while others continue to experience pain relief up to 24 hours after use. As they stimulate nerves, most TENS devices can modulate intensity, frequency, and duration to administer an appropriate level of pain relief.
Solio Alfa Plus
Solio is a therapy device that uses a unique 3-E technology: RF, IR and LLLT, three energy sources working together for best results, with IR energy including both infrared and red light.
Bi-polar Radiofrequency (RF) Energy – Deeply penetrating technology that reaches the muscles and joints. RF energy blocks sensory nerve cells, eliminating or significantly reducing pain. At the same time, swelling is neutralized and reduced.
Infrared (IR) Heat Energy – Dual Optical energy is a combination of Infra-Red and red spectrum light for the treatment of skin and pain stiffness.
Low Light Laser Therapy (LLLT) Energy – LLLT can treat pain and temporary inflammation, as well as help release muscle spasms.
Through the patented synergy of 3-Energy sources, Solio Alfa Plus offers pain relief and treatment for a wider variety of issues, with each of the 3 energies directed at a different depth within the body. Solio’s energy sources produce a heat up to 44 °C (111°F) and penetrates 11-30mm into the skin, not only offering pain relief but treating the source of pain. There, Solio Alfa’s 3-E stimulate the body’s healing mechanisms, increasing blood circulation, drawing oxygen and nutrients to the affected area, accelerating tissue regeneration, and reducing inflammation and pain.
Solio Alfa Plus may help chronic pain, such as chronic back pain, chronic neck pain and chronic joint pain. It may also alleviate the pain that results from various conditions such as period pain, sports injuries, arthritis, endometriosis, and other conditions.
Pain Relief
Both TENS and Solio Alfa Plus are applied at the site of the pain. Solio Alfa Plus is able to alleviate pain both on the skin surface and deeper into the body, reaching muscle, joint, bone and other soft tissue levels. As a result, it helps treat both pain and the cause of pain. The TENS electric current affects only the nerves.
Safety
Solio Alfa Plus is safe to use for everyone. TENS devices are generally considered safe. However, they are not safe for some people, such as people with heart problems. People who have electrical devices (such as pacemaker), people who suffer from epilepsy or pregnant women. There have been a few reports of people getting mild electrical burns due to improper use of their TENS devices. Some people may also experience uncomfortable sensation on the skin from the device.
Effectiveness
While the use of TENS has proved effective in clinical studies, there is a lack of conclusive scientific studies and clinical trials, and there is controversy over which conditions the TENS device should be used to treat. Studies on Solio Alfa Plus have shown to be effective at relieving and treating pain, with the combination of the 3-E working together delivering the best results.
FDA Clearance
Omron electrotherapy pain relief unit is FDA-cleared, as is Solio Alfa Plus.
Solio is the first RF pain management device to be FDA-cleared for pain relief.
Therapy Sessions
Both Omron and Solio Alfa Plus are applied at the site of the pain for the therapeutic treatment. The length of home therapy sessions varies by device.
Omron: sessions last about 15 minutes, with a maximum of 3 sessions per day. Stop therapy session if the pain has reduced or stopped, or in case of an adverse reaction, such as redness.
Solio: sessions last 15-20 minutes for maximum pain relief benefits, once a day per area.
Omron TENS Reviews & Solio Alfa Plus Reviews
Customer reviews of Omron TENS unit show people who report pain relief, although aware the unit does not heal but curbs pain. Some customers report pain returns after a short while.
Solio Alfa Plus customers report great pain relief. Professionals, for example a physical therapist, recommend the unit to clients. Athletes like world champion (Beijing 2015) triple-jump Hanna Kneibze-Minnko, who had to seek treatment for injury, testifies Solio Alfa Plus had helped her greatly in relieving pain and “has contributed to faster healing of the affected area”.
Conclusion
Solio and Omron pain relief devices for home use both aim to help people reduce pain, and enjoy a better quality of life, drug-free.
The devices by both companies are portable home-use devices that are easy to operate, but Solio offers 3 energy sources and accelerated healing, while Omron offers ones or two, depending on the device. Deeper penetration with RF technology allows Solio to treat pain at its source, and the synergy of different sources of energy makes it more effective and pain relief more significant.
Pain is a signal in the nervous system that something may be wrong. As we all know, pain comes in many different shapes and forms, and is generally categorized as acute or chronic pain. A pain that lasts a long time is described as chronic.
When looking at chronic pain management, the goal is to reduce pain in the most noninvasive way possible, and preferably with non-drug treatments. Radiofrequency energy is a way to reduce pain with no surgery. Still, radiofrequency therapy usually involves an invasive procedure. However, a new FDA-cleared pain relief device now utilizes radiofrequency in a way that is non-invasive, painless, and specifically designed for easy and safe self-care.
What is radiofrequency therapy?
RF current is low-energy, high-frequency alternating current that has been used for decades in pain treatment. Most procedures involving radiofrequency are invasive, but there is also a non-invasive, painless RF application for pain relief.
What are radiofrequency procedures?
RF procedure is described as the application of RF electrical signals to neural tissue with RF electrodes inserted into the tissue to reach the site of pain.
This is an invasive procedure, using a needle.
This is usually done with X-ray to monitor the location, as the operator must ensure that it treats the painful nerve and is not too close to any motor nerve. Only after he verifies the needle is in a safe place can he apply the radiofrequency current.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
Continuous RF (CRF)
In CRF, anesthetic is also injected via the needle electrode before lesioning. Due to the high temperature, CRF usually involves pain and a longer period of discomfort.
If desired effect is achieved, it lasts until the coagulated nerves regenerate.
Pulsed RF (PRF)
It’s important to note that pulsed RF seems to be ineffective in some conditions, and should not be applied. This makes diagnosis very important.
What pain is treated with RF?
- Low back pain (such as from lumber facet joints, the sacroiliac joint, the intervertebral discs)
- Neck pain
- Joint pain (such as thoracic)
- Knee pain
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Chronic postsurgical pain
- Cancer pain
Radiofrequency ablation knee
Radiofrequency ablation SI joint
Are there any risks involved with RF treatment?
There are risks that relate to RF procedures, such as the placement of the needle electrode that may result in direct trauma to blood vessels and nerves. Risks include bleeding and infection. Also, the procedure may not have the pain relief effect and sometimes may even make the pain worse.
CRF has more risks due to thermal lesioning of nerves, since it may cause damage to other nerves on site. In addition, nerve regeneration may lead to neuroma formation causing the pain to worsen.
Other complications include hematoma, numbness, and others.
However, there are no known risks associated with noninvasive RF pain relief devices.
Noninvasive RF treatment – Solio Alfa Plus
Solio Alfa Plus is FDA-cleared for pain relief. It utilizes RF energy to treat a variety of chronic pain symptoms and conditions. It also utilizes two other energy sources, LLLT energy and IR heat energy, for improved pain relief. In fact, Solio Alfa Plus is the only FDA-cleared home-use device featuring the patented synergy of 3 energy sources to gain pain relief and help the body heal itself.
Wavelengths and bipolar RF have been harnessed for pain relief in medical settings. Recently, they are also available for easy, safe and effective home use. Home pain relief devices are gaining recognition for their ability to help relieve pain, drug-free.
Different wavelengths are utilized to provide effective results, each with benefits. Here’s a comparison between two leading home use devices for pain relief: Tendlite and Solio Alfa Plus.
InfraRedYesNo
| Solio Alfa Plus | Tendlite | |
| Radio Frequency | Yes | No |
| Soft Laser (LLLT) | Yes | No |
| Red Light | Yes | Yes |
| Heat | Up to 44 °C / 111°F | Low |
| Penetration | 25mm | 4 mm |
| Power (Watts) | 24W | 3 W |
About home-use pain relief devices
Pain of all types is disruptive. Chronic pain can negatively affect daily activities and quality of life. Pain relief devices for home use provide an effective way for many to simply live better.
Home-use devices can be helpful in treating various types of pain:
- Chronic pain relief
- Sports pain
- Trauma pain
- Period pain
They provide relief for different conditions, such as:
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
- Arthritis
- Muscle spasm
- Stiffness
Although results may vary depending on both the inpidual and the condition, many customers report significant pain relief and faster healing with home-use devices.
Although they look different, Tendlite and Solio Alfa Plus devices both utilize energy to alleviate pain and promote healing in-home settings.
Common advantages of Solio and Tendlite light pain relief devices for home use:
- Self-administered
- Easy to use
- Portable
- Lightweight and compact
- Non-invasive
- Painless
- No need for prescription
- Drug-free
- No side effects
- Safe
- Can be applied to different parts of the body to provide relief
Tendlite vs. Solio
Tendlite and Solio Alfa Plus differ mainly in the type of therapy they offer.
Advanced home use devices utilize different wavelengths. Used directly over the affected area, different wavelengths have different effects on our bodies, such as heat-producing light. The depth of penetration also varies by wavelength.
Types of energy for pain management
Bi-polar Radiofrequency (RF) Energy
Deeply penetrating technology that reaches the muscles and joints. RF energy blocks sensory nerve cells, thereby eliminating or significantly reducing pain. At the same time, swelling is neutralized and reduced through increased blood circulation that draws oxygen and nutrients to the affected area, and collagen production is increased causing the shrinking and tightening of cells, leading to improved joint stability and healing.
Infrared (IR) Heat Energy
Dual Optical energy is a combination of Infra-Red and red spectrum technology for the treatment of skin pain and stiffness.
Red light therapy works on the red-light frequency. It can treat inflammation, both chronic and temporary, and is therefore useful in treating sports injuries.
Infrared light works on a spectrum invisible to the human eye but penetrates deeper than light on the visible spectrum. This means it can treat pain indicators relating to deep muscle tissue, bones, and joints. It is useful in the treatment of conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, chronic pain such as chronic neck pain and chronic back pain, tendon inflammation (for example, tennis elbow), and other injuries.
The combination of Red Light and Infrared energy with longer wavelengths enables for surface as well as muscle and joint pain to be treated at the same time, while delivering the healing energies to both surface and internal pains. Experimentation on infrared light therapy demonstrated that infrared light delivered through light-emitting diodes (LEDs) sped up the healing process and reduced pain.
Low Light Laser Therapy (LLLT) Energy
Low Light Laser Therapy (LLLT), also called Cold Laser Therapy, has been in use for the treatment of pain for many years.
Low Light Laser Therapy can treat chronic and acute pain, and temporary inflammation, as well as help release muscle spasms. It has been cleared by the FDA for use in home pain treatment devices.
Tendlite
Tendlite is a direct red light therapy device that utilizes LED technology and is designed for joint and muscle pain relief. It has one energy source: red light.
Solio Alfa Plus
Solio is a therapy device that uses the 3-E technology: RF, IR, and LLT, three energy sources working together for best results, with IR energy including both infrared and red light.
When the R&D for Solio was first launched, available home devices used TENS and LLLT (LED / Soft laser) technologies. To offer the best treatment at home, Solio’s team of experts set out to develop a revolutionary pain relief device, based on clinical studies and continuous consultation with pain management professionals.
The result is 3-E. Through the patented synergy of 3-Energy sources (RF, IR, and LLLT), the Solio Alfa Plus technology offers pain relief and treatment for a wider variety of issues, with each of the 3 energies directed at a different depth within the body, and offering healing and pain relief. Deep penetration treats the cause of the pain, thereby not only eliminating it but treating the source of pain.
Solio’s energy sources produce heat of up to 44 °C / 111°F, and penetrate 11-30 mm into the skin, without causing any pain.
In other words, Solio uses the same red-light energy as Tendlite, plus additional potent energy sources working in synergy for best results and treating the pain at its source.
How does 3-E work?
Put together on the site of pain, the 3 energy sources stimulate the body’s healing mechanisms, increasing blood circulation, drawing oxygen and nutrients to the affected area, accelerating tissue regeneration and reducing inflammation and pain.
FDA Clearance
Tendlite and Solio are FDA-cleared.
Solio is the first RF pain management device to be FDA-cleared for pain relief.
Therapy sessions
Both Tendlite and Solio Alfa Plus are applied at the site of the pain for the therapeutic treatment.
The length of home therapy sessions varies by device.
Tendlite: Sessions last 1-2 minutes per area, 2-3 times per day.
Solio: Sessions last 15-20 minutes for maximum pain relief benefits, once a day per area.
Conclusion
Solio and Tendlite pain relief devices for home use both harness energy in the hope of helping people minimize pain, accelerate healing, and enjoy a better quality of life the natural way, with no medication.
The devices offer similar technology in that they are portable home-use devices that are easy to use, but Solio offers 3 energy sources, while Tendlite offers one. Deeper penetration enables Solio to treat the pain at its source, and the synergy of 3 energy sources makes the device more effective and the pain relief results more significant.
Nerves carry electrical signals from one part of the body to another. The longest and widest nerve in the body is the sciatic nerve. It runs from the top of the leg to the foot. This important nerve controls muscles in the back of the thigh, leg, and foot, as well as sensation.
Sciatica Symptoms
Sciatica is caused by a problem with the sciatic nerve. So what does sciatic nerve pain feel like? Sciatica causes pain that may vary. It can be very sharp and it may be mild or cause discomfort. Sciatica may cause numbness, weakness of the muscles, or tingling (pins and needles) along the nerve. It can be the cause of back pain and stiffness, and because the sciatic nerve is so long, sciatica pain can start in the lower back and go down your leg to your foot. Another symptom of sciatic nerve pain is that it usually radiates down only one side of the body, from the lower back into the leg. Sciatica symptoms are often more painful when coughing or when sitting, as it increases pressure on the lower back.
Causes of Sciatica
Sciatica can be caused by different conditions, and still many times no cause can be found. A common cause for sciatica is the spinal disc herniation, meaning that one of the discs located between the bones of the spine tears, and its inner material comes out and pinches or inflames the nearby sciatic nerve. Another cause may be a pinched nerve, caused when direct pressure or compression damages or injures a nerve. This is what happens in the case of spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal canal, through which the nerves pass, that may compress the sciatic nerve and cause sciatica. It also happens in the case of piriformis syndrome, a condition most likely caused by the compression of the sciatic nerve. Sciatic nerve injury is another cause, which in itself can be the result of surgery such as hip replacement, by medical procedures and even injections into the buttock when performed improperly.
Sciatica Treatment
A pinched nerve is a cause of pain that may occur in different areas in our bodies. For example, a pinched nerve that is located at the root of a nerve exiting the spine may cause low back pain.
A pinched nerve can affect us in different ways, mainly since continuous pain affects our lives significantly. Pain should be treated as soon as possible to gain pain relief and quality of living.
What is a pinched nerve?
A pinched nerve describes a type of damage or injury to one nerve or more, usually as a result of pressure that is applied to the nerve. Since the nerves are used to send messages throughout the body, when pressured they send a message of pain.
When the pinched nerve is compressed at or near the root of the nerve, shortly after its exit from the spinal cord, it is called radiculopathy. Polyradiculopathy is a condition in which more than one spinal nerve root is affected.
What are the causes of pinched nerve?
Pinched nerve may be the result of nerve compression, meaning pressure on a nerve. The nerves are mostly compressed between ligaments, tendons, or bones. Pinched nerves may also be caused by constriction or stretching of the nerve.
Nerve compression can be caused by daily activities due to long periods of pressure on a nerve, such as holding your body in one position for long periods (such as while sleeping or sitting in a wheel chair) or performing repetitive motions or continuous motions.
One common example for a compressed nerve is having a body part, usually a leg or a hand, “fall asleep”.
Carpal tunnel syndrome, a type of peripheral neuropathy, occurs when the nerve that travels through the wrist is compressed. The pinched nerve in the wrist leads to pain and numbness in the hand and fingers, which are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. This usually happens as a result of overuse. For this reason, people whose work requires repetitive motions of the wrist, such as people who type on computer keyboards for a few hours every day, are at greater risk to suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome.
When inflammation or pressure occurs on a nerve root exiting the spine, it may cause neck pain or back pain, depending on the affected nerve. But pain can also radiate, for example from the sciatic nerve into the lower back, hip, buttocks, leg and foot, called sciatica.
Another possible cause for pinched nerve is torn disc, called herniated disc, that puts pressure on the root of a spinal nerve, or bone spur that do the same and so cause pinched nerve.
Age-related degenerative changes in the spine account for a high percentage of pinched nerve cases.
Mature man with lower back pain standing in the gym at hospital
What are the symptoms of pinched nerves?
Pain is a symptom of nerve compression in the affected area, such as the low back. It may also be radiating pain, outward from the injured area, such as sciatica. Radiating pain experienced due to nerve compression in the neck or arm can cause symptoms in other areas, such as the elbow, wrist and fingers that can also lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
However, nerve compression can also occur without pain.
Common symptoms include:
• Pain at and near the affected nerve
• Radiating pain
• Numbness
• Burning sensation
• Tingling
• Weakness.
Mature Man treating shoulder pain
Can a pinched nerve be a warning signal for a severe problem?
A pinched nerve signals a problem which may be minor, but may also be severe. The problem can be temporary or not. Therefore, it’s recommended to get diagnosis and treat the problem. Hopefully, the problem can be treated to full recovery.
If the compression lasts a long time, there may be long lasting damage such as scarring that may affect the nerve’s function.
In addition, pinched nerves can sometimes lead to other conditions. For example, peripheral neuropathy, conditions that happen when one or more nerves suffer damage or disease that affect the nerves that carry messages to and from the brain and spinal cord from and to other parts of the body.
How to treat a pinched nerve?
Pinched nerve treatment depends on the cause of the nerve compression, as well as the severity of symptoms.
Pinched nerve treatment usually begins with conservative treatments. As pain itself greatly affects our lives, it’s crucial to gain pain relief through treatment.
Usually, rest and pain management enable recovery from a pinched nerve within days or weeks, the exact time changing from person to person.
If the pain is severe or if symptoms persist, you must see a doctor. There may be need to treat swollen tissue around the nerve or remove the material that compresses the nerve, such as disc material, bone or scar tissue.
Steroid injections to reduce swelling are sometimes recommended, as they allow the inflamed nerves to heal. In some severe cases a surgery may be considered for pinched nerve treatment, especially if the pain has not gotten better after six to eight weeks of therapy, if symptoms worsen, or if there is evidence of spinal cord compression.
Pinched nerve in back treatment at home.
Here are some at-home treatments for pinched nerve that in many cases will alleviate the pain and enable healing:
(1) Rest. Simply avoiding activities that worsen the pain or even activities that cause significant discomfort may be enough for pinched nerve pain relief.
It is also suggested to try to sleep in a position that relieves the pain, and with proper neck support and a cervical pillow if needed.
(2) Home pain relief devices. For pinched nerve in back treatment at home, pain relief devices can prove highly effective. Solio Alfa Plus creates optimal conditions for healing, mainly through pain relief, heat and muscle relaxation. As the goal is reducing pain, it will enable your return to normal activity quickly, thanks to this advanced home therapy device.
(3) Pain relief medications. To reduce pain and swelling caused by pinched nerve, some medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen, may prove to be helpful. Sometimes, oral corticosteroids are recommended to reduce swelling and pain, as well as stronger drugs.
(4) Splint. Wearing a splint on the painful area may be helpful to help muscles relax and alleviate pain. It also helps to prevent further damage.
(5) Exercises. Exercises can be performed at home, but it’s advisable to see a physical therapist to learn more about what’s right for your pain. Exercises help strengthen muscles and stretching them, which may help alleviate pain. They can also help with range of motion and functionality.
(6) Create changes. Depending on the cause of the pinched nerve, applying various changes to your life may prove to be helpful. For example, a pinched nerve may be caused by incorrect posture that can be improved.
Symptoms of pinched nerve may sometimes be alleviated by keeping in better shape, losing weight, or stretching to reduce pressure.
Always consult a doctor while also performing at-home treatments for pinched nerve in back, neck or other areas of the body. With Solio pain relief device, first RF FDA-cleared pain relief device for home use, you apply deep heating that can alleviate pain and create an optimal healing environment at the comfort of your home.
Pain is essential to life, it’s the way your body is telling you something is wrong. We all feel pain from time to time, but then it heals and the pain goes away. Sometimes, however, pain persists or progresses over a long period of time, and just doesn’t seem to go away.
Chronic Pain is a real thing, but there’s a treatment for it
Do I have chronic pain?
Chronic pain is any pain that lasts for more than 3 months or otherwise 6 months since onset. This means that the pain outlasts the usual healing time. When pain is chronic, it may be there for months and even years, even if it comes and goes, and this can have effects on your life.
The severity of chronic pain varies, from mild to severe. Depending on the cause, it can feel like a dull ache, soreness, stiffness, throbbing, shooting and more.
What is the cause of my chronic pain?
The causes of chronic pain are different, and you will not always know the exact cause. If chronic pain starts after an injury or a trauma to the body, it is easier to know the cause but it can also be caused by nerve damage or degenerative disease.
What are some options for chronic pain treatment?
Treatments for chronic pain depend on the severity of the pain, the underlying cause, and the location of the pain.
5 categories for efficient chronic pain treatment are self-care, exercises, various therapies, medications, and interventional techniques. It’s not necessary to choose only one treatment option, and your primary care doctor or specialist may suggest a combination of different treatments.
1. Self-care with a pain relief device
Nowadays self-care luckily includes home-use pain relief devices that were previously available only in advanced medical clinics. RF technology has been used for pain relief in medical settings, in some cases involving a needle that goes through the skin, delivering RF to target nerve cells.
Safe and effective Solio pain relief device presented innovative technology to the FDA, making Solio Alfa Plus the first RF pain management device to be FDA-cleared for pain relief. Placed on the site of pain, noninvasive and painless RF and IR penetrate deep into the skin tissues, producing heat and increasing blood circulation around the treatment area to relieve pain and accelerate the healing process. Even in severe cases when medications are still needed, pain relief may reduce the medications required for pain management.
Home device units also include TENS and LLLT (LED / Soft laser) technologies. TENS units are helpful for manipulating pain, but although they may alleviate pain in some instances, the relief is only temporary and the pain returns. LLLT devices didn’t show any relief to inner tissues, although they are effective for skin treatment.
Solio Alfa Plus Arm Treatment at home
2. Exercises
Exercises are a form of self-care, but they have an important place of their own. Physical exercise is so important for chronic pain relief because inactivity leads to weakness, decreased mobility, and stiffness. These, in turn, can worsen the symptoms of chronic pain. Also, exercising can help improve mental health and overall health.
If you have chronic pain in your neck or back, stretching can relieve it and improve mobility. In addition to stretching, strength exercises are important for stabilization and injury prevention. Core strength is especially important to maintain proper posture and stability and prevent future injuries.
Woman stretching her back
3. Therapies
Various types of therapy are offered for chronic pain treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help with pain relief. It helps people to change their awareness of pain and develop better-coping skills and an ability to view pain differently. This may be true even if the severity of pain remains the same. It can also change the physical response to the pain, such as the stress that chronic and causes and improve it.
Another common therapy for chronic pain treatment is physical therapy (physiotherapy) which is believed to effectively treat patients with chronic pain. It is often aimed at enhancing the patient’s capacity for functional movement and reduction of pain.
Relaxation therapy is sometimes helpful, especially since chronic stress is one factor that contributes to chronic pain. There are many relaxation techniques, depending on what appeals to the patient. Some find visualization to be helpful, others choose meditation and breathing or even music or prayer.
4. Medications
Different medications can help to reduce pain and help in chronic pain treatment. There are both oral and topical therapies for the treatment of chronic pain, as well as injections. However, ways that don’t involve the daily intake of medications are preferred in the long term.
As far as oral medications go, some common over-the-counter drugs may be very effective, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, especially for mild to moderate pain. Be aware that when taken for an extended period of time or in large quantities, they may have negative effects.
Opioids are used for chronic pain relief, such as Fentanyl and Hydrocodone (Vicodin) or Oxycodone (OxyContin). They may be very effective in controlling chronic pain. However, they also have side effects, the most serious of which are addiction and overdose. The risk of addiction increases the longer you use them.
Also available are medications that can be applied to the skin, by cream, ointment or patch.
Generally, your primary physician, specialist, or pharmacist can help answer any questions regarding the benefits, dosage, and side effects related to the medications you are taking.
5. Interventional Techniques
Pain shots are another option for chronic pain treatment. Most injections for chronic pain treatment are performed on an outpatient basis. Different types include trigger point injections to the painful muscles, facet joints injections to provide relief for neck and back pain, nerve root blocks, or epidural steroid injections targeted to place anti-inflammatory steroid into the epidural space close to the inflamed area.
The medical intervention depends on the type of pain, the source of the pain, and the severity of the situation. Sometimes, a doctor may suggest to implant a pain pump in your body where it releases medications as needed.
Other interventional techniques can be invasive procedures and even surgery in extreme cases.
Taking an active role in the treatment is generally beneficial for chronic pain patients. Pain therapy should have a multidisciplinary approach, depending on what’s most effective for the patient. Self-care, through the use of home pain relief devices, therapy, exercises and more may be very effective. Alternative ways include methods such as acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, reiki healing and more. Always talk to your doctor, especially if your symptoms worsen, or if you think you are having side effects, but generally, the rule of thumb is: it’s good if it helps alleviate the pain.
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