Pain Management is essential for the injured worker to be able to return to work. No longer is pain relief a luxury in Ohio as
two new bills have been signed into law mandating pain relief for all Ohio citizens.
It is well known that there are many consequences to the under treatment of pain. Not only are there physical changes such as increased heart rate and
blood pressure, but there is also inactivity from pain that slows the recovery of the injured worker.
In any painful injury from work, pain management needs to be addressed promptly to assure that the injured worker is able to adequately rehabilitate
as quickly as possible. If the pain is not controlled then the injured worker will not be able to do the designated treatment to get better. Physical
therapy is essential to get the injured worker back to work and if the pain is too great then they will not be able to follow through with the physical
therapy, which will make it more difficult for them to recover.
Pain Management begins with medications. First of all pain relievers are given such as narcotic or non-narcotic pain relievers. Secondly, most patients
will need anti-inflammatory medication to decrease the inflammation and help the pain. Thirdly, muscle relaxers are needed to decrease the muscle spasms.
Nerve blocks may then be utilized to place a potent anti-inflammatory directly in and around the injured nerve that is causing the pain. This allows a more
rapid recovery, which is always in the best interest of the injured worker to allow him or her to return to work as quickly as possible. It is also important
that they are evaluated to make sure that they are ready to return to work and not become re-injured.
