Over-the-counter medication for mild pain can include Tylenol or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin. Topical pain relievers are also available, such as creams, lotions, or sprays that are applied to the skin in order to relieve pain from sore muscles and arthritis.

Stronger prescribed medications may include muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety drugs (such as Valium), antidepressants, prescription NSAIDs, or a short course of stronger painkillers (such as Codeine). A few steroid injections at the site of a joint problem can reduce swelling and inflammation.

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is another method of pain control. By pushing a button on a computerized pump, the patient is able to self administer a pre-measured dose of pain medicine.

Sometimes, a group of nerves that causes pain to a specific organ or body region can be blocked with local medication. The injection of this nerve-numbing substance is called a nerve block.

Trigger point injection is a procedure used to treat painful areas of muscle that contain trigger points, or knots of muscle that form, when muscles do not relax. A local anesthetic, sometimes including a steroid, is injected into a trigger point. Trigger point injection is used to treat muscle pain in the arms, legs, lower back, and neck. It is also used to treat fibromyalgia, tension headaches, and myofascial pain syndrome.

A surgical implant may also be used to help control pain. The implants deliver medicines directly to the spinal cord, where pain signals travel. Intrathecal drug delivery can provide significant pain control with a fraction of the dose that would be required with pills. In addition, the system can cause fewer side effects than oral medications because less medicine is required to control pain. A remote control is used by the patient to turn the current off and on or to adjust the intensity of the signals.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy (TENS) uses electrical stimulation to diminish pain. During the procedure, low-voltage electrical current is delivered through electrodes that are placed on the skin near the source of pain.

Bioelectric therapy relieves pain by blocking pain messages to the brain. Bioelectric therapy can be used to treat many chronic and acute conditions causing pain, such as back pain, muscle pain, headaches and migraines, arthritis, TMJ disorder, diabetic neuropathy, and scleroderma.

Physical therapy helps to relieve pain by using special techniques that improve movement and function impaired by an injury or disability.

Although resting for short periods can alleviate pain, too much rest may actually increase pain and put a patient at greater risk. Research has shown that regular exercise can diminish pain in the long term by improving muscle tone, strength, and flexibility. Exercise may also cause a release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers.

Alternative Treatments for Pain
Some people believe that dietary changes and/or eating plant foods that contain anti-inflammatory agents can help ease pain. Dietary supplements like fish oils have shown beneficial results. Herbal remedies are also used for pain relief. Weight loss and physical activity have been helpful for people suffering from osteoarthritis. Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of dietary modifications as a pain treatment.

Chiropractic treatment is the most common non surgical treatment for back pain. Massage is being increasingly used by people suffering from pain, mostly to manage chronic back and neck problems. Massage can reduce stress and relieve tension by enhancing blood flow. This treatment also can reduce the presence of substances that may generate and sustain pain.

Mind-body therapies use various approaches including relaxation techniques, meditation, guided imagery, biofeedback, and hypnosis. Relaxation techniques can help alleviate discomfort related to chronic pain. Visualization may be another worthwhile pain-controlling technique. Hypnotherapy and self-hypnosis may help you block or transform pain through refocusing techniques.

Acupuncture is thought to decrease pain by increasing the release of endorphins, chemicals that block pain. Acupuncture may be useful as an accompanying treatment for many pain-related conditions, including headache, low back pain, menstrual cramps, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and myofascial pain.

Therapeutic touch and reiki healing are thought to help activate the self-healing processes of an individual and therefore reduce pain.