Pain is something we all have to deal with. As a matter of fact, experiencing some pain throughout life is unavoidable. However, what we take for granted is how infrequently these painful experiences actually occur. For most, the occasional scrape or bruise requires a temporary adjustment and perhaps a small amount of medication. For a select few, though, dealing with pain is a bigger deal. For those who develop conditions like fibromyalgia, tinnitus, or neuropathy, it means adopting a highly restricted and compromised lifestyle, relying on pain relievers — prescription or over-the-counter, and constant vigilance to prevent irritating and exciting painful or tender parts of the body.

When dealing with daily chronic pain, the only options available are surgery, pharmaceuticals, therapy, and mindfulness. Fortunately for the uninitiated, those who have learned to cope with daily chronic pain from their serious conditions have reported that the following activities have been helpful in making their pain more manageable:

  1. Taking some opioid/non-opioid painkillers (ibuprofen, etc.)
  2. Taking some over-the-counter vitamins & herbs (menthol crystals, etc.)
  3. Counselling & lectures (Learning about the condition from others)
  4. Personal research (Learning about painful triggers, etc)
  5. Surgery (Usually for more physically sourced pain conditions)

While there is no perfect combination of any of these treatment, applying any number of these is likely to aid in finding some measure of relief. As with most things, the key is to start small, and gradually build up to the perfect treatment combination. Through this, it becomes possible to find the right frequency, duration, potency, or quantity for each therapeutic path taken.

For some of these treatments, there are some serious drawbacks. For example: most long-term use of opioid painkillers can cause a major disruption to an individual’s life. This is because of the physical and emotional dependence that can develop from taking this class of drug regularly. And, of course, like with most medications, larger and larger doses are required to maintain the “status quo.” Unfortunately, as the potency increases, the chances of experiencing these undesirable side-effects also increases.

For those who wish to avoid this entirely, some have chosen to replace their opioid therapies with the non-addictive, but equally effective alternative: ketamine infusions. Through this, many have found that this NMDA-receptor antagonist offers plenty of pain relief without forcing them to compromise their health or lifestyle.

Attending counseling or joining a support group can be very helpful, but may not be effective for everyone, and likely requires a large time commitment before any incremental changes become noticeable. Also, surgery should really only be considered a last resort since many chronic pain conditions are not strictly limited to physical dysfunction. As a result, some or most of pain will likely persist after any procedure.

When life hands us lemons, we must make our lemonade. In this case, it means accepting what we cannot change, and learning to make the most of our lot. Developing a strong, healthy attitude about a chronic pain condition and remaining open to new treatments is a very responsible approach that many struggle to accomplish. By shifting the focus from the pain onto something more constructive and pleasant, one may find themselves forgetting to notice it for a little while. Little is guaranteed in life, but hopefully by combining  the therapies mentioned above with a little  patience, persistence, and resilience, one might find respite.

As a leading ketamine clinic in Baton Rouge, LA, we have personally seen how these highly effective infusions give our patients rapid and long-lasting relief that completely changes their lives…for the better! Call us today, or use the form below to request a free consultation and to learn more about ketamine for treatment-resistant depression.