Nearly 52 million American adults live with chronic pain.[1] Unmanaged pain can severely impact every aspect of your daily life and lead to depression and anxiety.[2] Common conditions like back pain, neuropathy, arthritis, and migraines are often effectively managed through pain management techniques. But which method will provide the most relief for your situation?
Modern Pain Management Options
As medicine and technology evolve, innovative pain relief solutions are created to reduce pain, decrease medication reliance and improve the quality of life. Let’s explore the top pain control techniques that are leading the way in patient care for 2025.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat generated by radio waves to destroy the nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals.[3] The treatment is delivered to the precise location using guided imaging and prevents pain messages from being sent to the brain, providing relief.
Commonly Treated Conditions:
- Chronic back pain
- Chronic knee pain
- Chronic neck pain
- Cancer-related pain
- Facet joint pain
- Sacroiliac joint pain
- Osteoarthritis pain
- Peripheral nerve pain
- Trigeminal neuralgia (facial pain)
RFA offers long-lasting relief and is ideal if you wish to avoid surgery or if conventional treatments have failed.
Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)
A spinal cord stimulator (SCS) is a small neuromodulation device with electrodes (thin wires) implanted under the skin that send mild electrical impulses to the spinal cord.[4] A variable electrical current interrupts pain signals before they reach your brain.
Commonly Treated Conditions:
- Chronic back pain
- Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS)
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Neuropathic pain
- Nerve injuries
- Diabetes-related neuropathy
- Post-surgical pain
- Arachnoiditis
- Angina (chest pain)
- Postherpetic neuralgia (nerve damage from shingles)
- Ischemic limb pain
- Spinal cord injury pain
With advancements in SCS technology, these devices can be remote-controlled, allowing you to personalize the intensity level, turn it on or off and target different areas.
Peripheral Nerve Blocks
Peripheral nerve blocks involve injecting pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory medication near specific nerves to block pain signals.[5] These injections are often guided by ultrasound for precise delivery.
Commonly Treated Conditions:
- Post-surgical pain
- Cancer pain
- Arthritis
- Facial pain (Trigeminal Neuralgia)
- Chronic back pain
- Headaches and migraines
- Chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Nerve injuries
Nerve blocks can provide immediate relief and are often part of a broader pain management plan that includes physical therapy and other interventions.
Intrathecal Drug Delivery Systems (IDDS)
Intrathecal drug delivery systems (IDDS), often called pain pumps, are surgically implanted devices that deliver medication directly to the spinal fluid.[6] The pump delivers pre-programmed doses of medication, which require significantly less medication than oral or intravenous medicines, reducing systemic side effects.
Commonly Treated Conditions:
- Chronic back and neck pain
- Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS)
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Postoperative pain
- Postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain caused by shingles)
- Cancer pain from the disease or treatment
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Spinal cord injury pain
- Spasticity (muscle stiffening) due to stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy or brain or spinal cord injury
- Refractory chronic pain conditions
This procedure may benefit you if long-term pain management is needed and your pain hasn’t responded well to other methods.
Non-Opioid Pharmacological Treatments
With the passing of the NOPAIN Act 2025, there has been a significant push to expand non-opioid pain management options, especially to Medicare and Medicaid recipients.[7] Non-opioid medications include anti-inflammatories, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, medical cannabis and topical treatments.[8] These options aim to manage pain effectively while minimizing risks associated with opioid use.
Commonly Treated Conditions:
- Neuropathic conditions
- Lower back pain
- Neck pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- Chronic headaches and migraines
- Post-operative pain
- Acute pain
- Injuries (such as sprains and strains)
This growing focus on non-opioid alternatives ensures that you have access to safer, effective solutions tailored to your unique pain needs.
There are also drug-free (non-pharmacological) options available to complement your pain management treatment plan, such as acupuncture, massage, chiropractic care, yoga, talk therapy and meditation, to name a few.
Which Pain Management Treatment is Right for You?
Pain management is not one-size-fits-all. Your pain journey is unique and deserves a personalized treatment plan. Your doctor will evaluate your pain type, underlying conditions and your goals for your life when determining the best approach. Consulting with a pain management specialist is essential to exploring your options and discovering if any of these procedures and techniques align with your needs.
2025 is your year for pain relief! With advancements reshaping pain management, patients like you have more choices than ever before. From cutting-edge technology found in SCS devices to proven techniques like RFA, this year provides hope for those seeking relief. Take the first step toward a pain-free life by exploring these innovative options with your healthcare provider.
Resources:
- NIH study finds high rates of persistent chronic pain among U.S. adults. National Institutes of Health (NIH) [Internet]. Published May 16, 2023. Accessed December 12, 2024. Available from: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-study-finds-high-rates-persistent-chronic-pain-among-us-adults
- Iavarone K. The link between chronic pain and depression. Medical News Today [Internet]. Published March 22, 2023. Accessed December 12, 2024. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/chronic-pain-depression
- Radiofrequency Ablation. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Published 2019. Accessed December 12, 2024. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17411-radiofrequency-ablation
- Sivanesan E. Spinal Cord Stimulator. Johns Hopkins Medicine [Internet]. Accessed December 12, 2024. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/treating-pain-with-spinal-cord-stimulators
- Nerve Blocks. Johns Hopkins Medicine [Internet]. Accessed December 12, 2024. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/nerve-blocks
- Sivanesan E. Intrathecal Pain Pump. Johns Hopkins Medicine [Internet]. Accessed December 12, 2024. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/intrathecal-pain-pump
- Make the NOPAIN pact for expanded non-opioid access. NO PAIN PACT [Internet]. Published 2024. Accessed December 12, 2024. Available from: https://www.nopainpact.com/
- Nonopioid Pharmacologic Treatments for Chronic Pain – Effective Health Care (EHC) Program. AHRQ: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality [Internet]. Published 2019. Accessed December 12, 2024. Available from: https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/nonopioid-chronic-pain/protocol#
