We all have experienced pain in one form or another. Some pain is a natural part of aging, and sometimes the pain is there to alert us that a specific area of our body is suffering. For example, if you are a fighter, you deal almost daily with the pain of exercise, the pain of recovery after a fight, and certainly the pain you feel in the ring. Often, it’s just another day at the office. But sometimes, the pain you feel needs to be addressed by a medical professional.
Types of Pain
Pain is your body’s way of letting you know that something is wrong. Your body is smart enough to produce different pain sensations that indicate the type of injury or ailment you are experiencing. By understanding these different types of pain, it may help your healthcare worker properly treat your injury.
Chronic Pain
This type of pain will come and go or be consistent over several months or years. Some people will experience this pain even after their injury is healed. In general, chronic pain indicates an underlying health condition such as fibromyalgia or arthritis.
Acute Pain
This type of pain tends to occur suddenly upon injury. It is a sharp pain instead of a dull pain and can occur from a cut, burn, or blunt trauma. Acute pain usually goes away after a couple of days or weeks when given time to heal. If it doesn’t, medical attention should be sought.
Neuropathic Pain
This type of pain can result from nerve damage, usually caused by injury or illness. For example, injuries to the spine or illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, or shingles may produce neuropathic pain.
Nociceptive Pain
This is caused by tissue damage and can manifest as achy, throbbing, or sharp pain. Injuries such as cuts and bruises and certain health conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis can cause this type of pain.
Functional Pain
This type of pain isn’t caused by any obvious injury. Instead, this tends to be chronic and occasionally presents as acute. This can also be positional depending on your activity. Fibromyalgia and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are two functional pain syndrome examples.
Managing Pain
As there are many types of pain, there are many ways to manage pain. When we consider how to manage pain, we generally first think of over-the-counter or prescription medications. While these do have their place and may be used effectively, they often come with unwanted side effects or have addictive properties. When considering pain management, several alternative treatment options include those that are holistic or surgical. Some alternatives to medications for pain would include:
- Inflammation management such as cold compresses or anti-inflammatories,
- Acupuncture,
- Mind-body techniques,
- Lifestyle changes,
- Counseling,
- Physical therapy,
- Chiropractic care,
- Nerve block injections,
- Trigger point injections,
- Spinal cord stimulation,
- Bioelectric therapy, and
- TENS (electrothermal therapy).
When to Seek Medical Attention
There may be a time when you are treating your pain with ibuprofen and cold compresses, and they’re just not getting the job done. Pain is unique to each individual. You may know right away to seek medical attention, but if you’re unsure, here are guidelines to help you know when you should decide if you need to seek the help of a medical professional. These are some clear signs that you need medical attention. Dislocation of fingers or toes, although may seem minor should be evaluated immediately to prevent improper healing.
You Experience an Injury
While injuries may be common for fighters, it’s important to have them cleared by a medical professional before continuing with your training. An acute injury can become a chronic problem if not addressed appropriately. Additionally, if an old injury is causing lasting pain, seek medical assistance.
You Are Unable to Sleep
Sleep is vital to rejuvenating your mind and body. If the pain you feel keeps you from getting a good night’s rest, then it’s time to seek medical attention. Your healthcare provider will be able to help with pain management in a way that helps you cope physically and mentally.
OTC (over-the-counter) Options Aren’t Working
Much of the time, common pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen will control your pain just fine. However, if these common pain relievers aren’t doing the job, you may have a more chronic underlying condition that needs medical care.
Your Pain Disrupts Your Daily Life
After a reasonable recovery time, you should be able to resume your daily life. However, many types of pain may make that impossible. If you can’t resume your normal daily activities after a reasonable recovery period, it’s time to see a physician.
Consistent Pain
This pain may begin mildly and grow, or you may feel it suddenly. In either case, the pain just doesn’t go away. If this is the case, you need a medical professional to help you find the source of that pain.
Sharp Pain Expands to Other Areas
This not only applies to pain that expands to other areas, but it could also manifest as an odd sensation throughout a limb or your body. This could indicate a severe condition or one that will eventually lead to chronic pain. If this is the case in your situation, early intervention could allow you to manage it more thoroughly.
Holistic Alternatives at Fight Doctors
We carry a dynamic inventory of CBD and Delta 8 THC products for you to choose from.
Take our Watermelon Rings, for example. Each tasty ring contains 20 mg of full-spectrum CBD and is available in several sizes, from a full 30 count bottle to a convenient two-pack. But if you would like to try Delta 8 THC instead, we’ve got products like our D8 Peach Rings for you to enjoy. Each juicy and delicious ring contains 20 mg of Delta 8 THC and comes in a two-piece pack or 15 or 30 count.
You can always count on Fight Doctors to carry only the best hemp-based products on the market. That’s because everything in our inventory is:
- Derived from American-grown hemp;
- Processed using state-of-the-art technology;
- 100% legal on a federal level; and
- Tested by a third-party laboratory.
Whether it’s personal medical services before or after a fight or premium-quality CBD or Delta 8 THC products, you know you can shop with confidence at Fight Doctors!
