There are a number of ways to treat acute pain and chronic pain. A physician may recommend lifestyle improvements such as exercise, quitting smoking, stress management, reduced intake of alcohol, weight loss or diet. Other categories of interventions in pain management:

• Medication. The many classes of drugs used to address pain include:
  
  
• • Analgesics (painkillers), including non-narcotics such as acetaminophen and opioids such as morphine
    
    
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and COX-2 inhibitors) and corticosteroids
    
    
  • Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), to reduce joint damage caused by conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
    
    
  • Antidepressants, sometimes prescribed for certain types of chronic pain
    
    
  • Anesthetics and interventional injections, which includes nerve blocks, epidural steroid injections and facet joint injections
    
    
• Therapy. Several health professions offer interventions to help deal with pain, including:
  
  
• • Physical therapy, to increase strength, range of motion, coordination and balance
    
    
  • Occupational therapy, to maximize function in daily activities such as dressing and cooking
    
    
  • Manipulation therapy (e.g., chiropractic, massage therapy), to improve bodily movements
    
    
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy, to help patients replace negative thought patterns with positive ones
    
    
• Modalities (physical agents). Examples of modalities that can relieve pain and increase function include:
  
  
• • Thermotherapy (heat), such as ultrasound therapy
  • Cryotherapy (cold)
  • Hydrotherapy (water)
  • Electrical therapy, such as TENS
    
    
• Complementary and alternative methods. It is best to consult a physician before trying treatments such as:
  
  
• • Acupuncture, a Chinese practice inserting needles into trigger points
    
    
  • Acupressure, a needle-free variation on acupuncture
    
    
  • Biofeedback, which trains the mind to control bodily functions
    
    
  • Glucosamine and chondroitin, supplements that might help some cases of arthritic pain
    
    
• Surgery. If noninvasive measures are inappropriate (such as with appendicitis) or do not succeed, an operation may be necessary. Types include:
  
  
• • Arthroscopy, involving small incisions
  • Arthroplasty, such as a joint replacement
  • Carpal tunnel release
  • Spine surgery, such as laminectomy, fusion, vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty