Chronic pain is not the usual pain one can relieve with over-the-counter medicine all at once. It can be caused by various conditions, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, or severe injuries. It requires you to be persistent in your chosen remedy and to use management tools. Sometimes, it can be so bad that you might not be able to handle it by yourself. When your pain begins to last for weeks, months, or even years, then you might need to take measures to another level.
With the introduction of modern technology in medicine, living with chronic pain has become manageable. Various valuable gadgets, services, and medications are available to ease daily activities, mood, and overall quality of life. These modern technologies offer new ways to manage and alleviate chronic pain.
If you have been living with this condition, this article will guide you on the different modern techs that can help you deal with severe pain.
Wearable Digital Devices
It’s better to manage pain even before it kicks in to ensure you don’t find yourself in a worse situation. One way to achieve that is by using digital wearable devices to provide continuous monitoring and enable immediate treatment.
These gadgets, which include fitness trackers and smartwatches, have become popular in managing chronic pain. They are designed to help you track your body activity, heart rate, and sleep patterns. If you are dealing with a sickness that comes with pain, having good and regular sleep is necessary for relieving the pain. They can help you stay active and alert, helping you balance activity and rest.
Stimulating Devices
Popularly known as Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) devices are portable and easy to use. They work by sending electrical currents to your skin to stimulate the nerves, reducing the pain by blocking their signals from getting to the brain. The gadgets can be used at home to provide pain relief in areas like the back, neck, and shoulders.
The other advanced alternative pain relievers are Quell and Oska Pulse, which use both electrical stimulation and pulsed electromagnetic fields to manage pain. The devices are compact in size and can be worn so that no one notices them. In addition, they can be controlled via smartphone apps, making them easy to use on a daily basis without interfering with your duties.
Health Apps
When it comes to your health, mobile technology has more to offer than making calls, chatting, and web searches. Various mobile apps have been innovated to help one manage severe and chronic pain. The apps are designed to track pain levels, alert you when to take your medications, and can be connected to your doctor for monitoring purposes.
Some of the Apps you can download include PainScale and Manage My Pain, among others. Tracking when your pain occurs and what causes it enables your doctor to identify patterns and understand what escalates your pain for better management.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that being stressed and having episodes of anxiety can make your pain persist rather than decline, even with medication. Hence, one should avoid circumstances that can lead to rising stress levels. One way to do this is by engaging in meditation and relaxation using appropriate mobile apps like Headspace and Calm.
Smart Organic Diffusers
In aromatherapy, smart diffusers emit oils in your room, office, or bedroom to relax your body, promote sleep, and relieve pain. These devices can be installed together with your smart home system and operated from the comfort of your resting position via a compatible smartphone app or voice assistant.
These devices come with self-setting features to help you plan your aromatherapy sessions according to your needs and pain management schedule. The device uses a particular pain-relieving scent from organic substances. Natural products emit healthy fumes and create a satisfying atmosphere that helps manage chronic pain.
For instance, terpenes can be used for pain relief using smart diffusers or vapes, but under medical guidance. Terpenes are found in plants and used to make oils that, when burned, produce a scent with therapeutic effects. Another substance used in smart diffusers is linalool, which is found in lavender and has calming and analgesic effects.
Telemedicine and Virtual Consultations
Telemedicine allows you to consult your doctor remotely when experiencing abnormal pain during recovery, saving time and reducing the stress of traveling to the hospital. Using this technology, doctors and patients have become better equipped to manage chronic pain during odd hours. In addition, virtual consultations can help you get the right medical advice and prescriptions for your level of pain without leaving home. Hence, dealing with your pain problem as fast as possible before it can result in further health issues.
Conclusion
Traditionally, painkillers have been known to be the only solution for persistent and chronic pain. However, modern technology has made it easier for doctors and patients to manage serious pain caused by an accident, ailment, or after-surgery recovery. The various digital tools in the market offer more effective pain relief and, more importantly, prompt administration of pain relievers.