Pain is one of the greatest health issues we face in our daily lives. According to research, one-third of the world’s population is suffering from pain. Pain is debilitating, and it impacts our quality of life as a whole. It is even worse if the individuals suffering are children.
Patients of general pediatrics in Salem sometimes undergo surgical procedures for their medical conditions. After the surgery, the children need to have effective pain management treatment to help alleviate the pain they may be experiencing.
Post-Surgery Medication
Pain is truly excruciating after surgery, especially for kids who have undergone orthopedic surgeries. A pediatric patient can be held in bed for several months because bones can take a long time to mend. This is why pain management is very crucial for these patients.
In addition, they are not expected to sit or lie still while they are awake. The sudden movement may cause pain, so it is ideal to have pain medication taken or injected via the IV line regularly.
Since they are children, their tolerance for pain may also be low. Doctors assess the level of pain kids experience by asking them to rate it on a scale of 1-10 or evaluating their facial expressions, responses and behavior.
Pain Management via Alternative Sources
Managing pain after a surgical procedure can also be done via a combination of methods. After the initial wound has healed, some patients manage pain with the help of acupuncturists, physiotherapists, chiropractors, clinical psychologists and others.
Here are some after-surgery care and techniques you can follow to help manage pain for your child right after surgery:
Relaxation
The use of relaxation in pain management has proven helpful in children. The technique introduces the patient to a relaxed and friendly environment to improve physical and mental relaxation.
The use of progressive muscular relaxation (PMR), deep breathing and other similar exercises is effective in relaxing therapies. Exercises are employed to help the patient cope with pain after the surgery. There are also some hot and cold treatments that can be applied to the affected area.
Therapy
Therapy after surgery in pediatric patients is done to aid in pain management. There are some massage therapies that help relax the muscles surrounding the area of surgery and reduce inflammation and soreness. Some pain management systems tap skilled psychologists to closely monitor child patients and keep their minds off the pain while their bodies are healing.
Food Intake
Food intake must be also be monitored closely for pediatric patients after surgery. Food plays an integral part in releasing pain signals. An effective pain management system will monitor the patient’s food and beverage intake until he or she has completely recovered.
In worst cases, the pain does not completely go away even after several months. But there are medical experts and health professionals who can assist a pediatric patient in treating pain. Maintenance medication can be prescribed to help ease the pain so that the patient can soon resume daily activities and other functions.
