Interventions in chronic pain management. 5. Approaches to medication and lifestyle in chronic pain syndromes.

Abstract

This self-directed learning module first reviews the importance of weight management and smoking cessation in the treatment of axial low back pain and then describes the use of medication in complex regional pain syndrome and trigeminal neuralgia. It is part of the chapter on chronic pain in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners in physical medicine and rehabilitation. The first objective explores the correlation of tobacco usage and obesity with lower back pain. The second objective reviews the option for medication management in patients with complex regional pain syndromes. The third objective examines the management of trigeminal neuralgia in a patient with multiple sclerosis. To discuss the importance of addressing obesity and smoking cessation in patients with low back pain and medication usage in trigeminal neuralgia and complex regional pain syndromes.