5 Ways We Help You With Pain Management During Rehab

Rehabilitation is full of challenges, whether you’re recovering from a stroke or learning to walk after a hip replacement. Effective pain management during rehab is critical to help you reach your treatment goals.

At Bladen East, we’re dedicated to providing rehabilitation pain management that is both safe and effective. We’ll take a closer look at five ways we assist our residents on their journey back to wellness.

As a leading skilled nursing and assisted living community in Elizabethtown, we help ensure the well-being of your loved one during their rehabilitation. Often, it’s not safe to be discharged home after a hip or knee replacement. We help some of our temporary residents recover and return to their homes as soon as safely possible. We invite you to take the next step with us.

5 Ways We Help You With Pain Management During Rehab

1. We Adopt an Individualized Approach

We know that often, pain management is multifaceted. This means we may need to combine medications, work on therapy positioning or explore other options that are best for your (or your loved one’s) individual needs, including your pain tolerance.

2. We Emphasize Medication Management

When possible, we always opt for non-opioid medications, preferring the use of NSAIDs and acetaminophen as long as they are effective. 

3. We Explore Non-Drug-Related Relief

We adopt a holistic approach to our plan of care; sometimes, pain can be eased without the use of strong medication. Some of the methods we may use include:

• Heat and cold therapy
• Positioning
• Cushioning support
• Breathing exercises
• Relaxation techniques

4. We Coordinate Medication and Therapy Times

Safe walking and light activity can go a long way toward your recovery; pain management makes it possible. By timing pain medication effectively around therapy sessions, we make it easier for residents to move, helping them avoid complications like blood clots. 

5. We Constantly Communicate With Our Residents

Pain is experienced differently by everyone, and there’s no right or wrong way to feel it. We never want residents to feel pressured to “tough it out.” Our role goes beyond providing rehabilitative guidance; we’re here to actively communicate with residents so we can better understand how well they’re managing. 

Is It Normal to Experience Pain During Rehab?

Yes, it’s not unusual to experience pain during rehab. Of course, everyone will have a different experience. Some may have more pain than others. Pain during rehab may feel:

• Sharp
• Aching
• Burning
• Throbbing

This is a part of your body’s natural healing process. Most importantly, it’s vital to speak with us about your pain and your pain level. As we mentioned earlier, no one experiences pain in the same way, and we’ll adjust your plan to consider your individual pain tolerance.

How Long Does Post-Surgical Pain Typically Last?

Again, there are several variations depending upon what type of surgery you had and how extensive the procedure was. 

In general, post-operative pain for minor procedures can last a few weeks. However, if you’ve had more intensive surgery (like a joint replacement), your pain may last for six months to nearly a year, with the pain gradually improving.

If you have concerns over how long your pain is lasting, or you want a more accurate estimate of what you can expect, we encourage you to speak with your doctor. 

What Methods Are Used to Manage Pain During Rehabilitation?

We covered a few of these earlier, but to recap, we take a multimodal approach, varying methods depending upon which ones are the most effective.  These may include:

• Medications such as NSAIDs or acetaminophen. (We take a conservative approach and only use opioids where needed.) 
• Relaxation techniques
• Heat/Cold therapy
• Physical therapy

How Often Is Pain Assessed During Short-Term Rehab?

We regularly check your pain level more than once a day. We may check it before and after a rehab session to help us determine the best course of your individual treatment plan.

Often, we use numerical rating scales (rating pain from a 1 to 5) or even use visual aids. This helps us catch pain early so we can make the necessary adjustments to make your recovery as comfortable as possible. 

Take the Next Step on Your Rehabilitation Journey at Bladen East

Not all of our residents are here long-term. Many need to have rehab because it is not safe for them to be discharged to their homes. Through our extensive services that include physical, occupational and speech therapy, we meet you where you are and take you to the next level of your recovery.

Want to learn more? Take your next step and schedule a tour.