12/28/2025
Health & Wellness January: Smart Pain Management ✋🦴🩺✨
Check out a brief summary of Dr. Sagini’s article from the new January 2026 edition of Lee County Health & Wellness Magazine below!
Understanding Modern Pain Management
The approach to treating exercise-related injuries has shifted away from narcotic pain medications and toward safer, more targeted solutions. As Dr. Sagini explains, the goal is to control pain while preserving function, supporting healing, and avoiding the well-documented risks of opioid dependence.
The Regional Block Advantage
Regional and local nerve blocks provide precise pain relief by targeting the injured area rather than the entire body. For common hand, wrist, and elbow injuries seen in activities like weightlifting, tennis, and golf, nerve blocks can offer 12–24 hours of significant pain control without the nausea, sedation, or cognitive impairment associated with narcotics. This allows patients to remain alert, functional, and comfortable during early recovery.
The Anti-Inflammatory Foundation
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) remain a key component of exercise injury management. By addressing inflammation—the primary source of pain—these medications help reduce swelling, improve mobility, and promote healing when used appropriately. Dr. Sagini emphasizes strategic use during the first 48–72 hours after injury to optimize recovery while minimizing risk.
Ice and Supportive Care
Simple measures like ice therapy continue to play an essential role. Applying ice for 15–20 minutes every 2–3 hours during the acute phase helps limit swelling, numb pain, and provide effective relief without medication. When combined with guided activity modification and physical therapy, these tools support safe, steady return to function.
A Comprehensive, Non-Narcotic Approach
Dr. Sagini stresses that the most effective pain management plans are individualized and multi-modal. By combining regional nerve blocks, anti-inflammatory medications, ice therapy, and rehabilitation, physicians can manage pain while promoting true healing. This comprehensive approach reduces reliance on narcotics, protects patients from unnecessary risks, and supports a faster, safer return to the activities they enjoy.
📖 For more information and to read the article itself when it is published, visit https://swfhealthandwellness.com/edition/lee-county/
☎️ For appointments, call (239)302-3216
🔗 For patient information and resources, visit https://saginimd.com