Causes and Treatment Methods of Chronic Pain

Everyone experiences aches and pains from time to time. In fact, sudden pain is an important response of the nervous system that helps alert you to possible injury. When an injury occurs, pain signals travel from the injured area to your spinal cord and brain.

As the wound heals, the pain usually becomes less severe. But chronic pain is different from typical pain. With chronic pain, your body continues to send pain signals to your brain even after an injury has healed. This can last from a few weeks to years. Chronic pain can limit your mobility and reduce your flexibility, strength, and endurance. This can make it difficult to perform daily tasks and activities.

Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts at least 12 weeks. The pain may feel sharp or dull and cause a burning or aching sensation in the affected areas. It may be constant or intermittent, coming and going for no apparent reason. Chronic pain can occur in almost any part of your body. Pain may feel differently in various affected areas.

Some of the most common types of chronic pain include:

• Headache
• Postoperative pain
• Post-traumatic pain
• Backache
• cancer pains
• arthritis pain
• Neurogenic pain (pain caused by nerve damage)
• Psychogenic pain (pain not caused by disease, injury, or nerve damage)

According to the American Academy of Pain Medicine, more than 1.5 billion people worldwide have chronic pain. It is the most common cause of long-term disability in the United States, affecting approximately 100 million Americans.

 

What causes chronic pain?

Chronic pain is often caused by an initial injury, such as a back sprain or pulled muscle. Chronic pain is believed to develop after nerves become damaged. Nerve damage makes pain more intense and long-lasting. In these cases, treating the underlying injury may not resolve chronic pain. However, in some cases, people experience chronic pain without any prior injury. The exact causes of chronic pain without injury are not well understood.

Pain can sometimes be caused by an underlying health condition such as:

• Chronic fatigue syndrome: Characterized by extreme, prolonged fatigue that is often accompanied by pain
• Endometriosis: A painful condition that occurs when the uterine lining grows outside the uterus
• Fibromyalgia: Widespread pain in bones and muscles
• Inflammatory bowel disease: A group of conditions that cause painful, chronic inflammation in the digestive tract
• Interstitial cystitis: A chronic disorder marked by bladder pressure and pain
• Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ): A painful, locking condition in the jaw.
• Vulvodynia: chronic vulvar pain that occurs for no apparent reason

Who is at risk for chronic pain?

Chronic pain can affect people of all ages, but is most common in older adults. Besides age, other factors that may increase your risk of developing chronic pain include:

• Get injured
• Be operated
• Be woman
• being overweight

How is chronic pain treated?

The main goal of treatment is to reduce pain and increase mobility. This helps you return to your daily activities without discomfort.

The severity and frequency of chronic pain may vary between individuals. That’s why doctors create pain management plans specific to each person. Your pain management plan will depend on your symptoms and underlying health conditions. Medical treatments, lifestyle medications, or a combination of these methods may be used to treat your chronic pain.

Lifestyle practices for chronic pain

Additionally, you can make various lifestyle changes to help relieve chronic pain.

Examples include:

• Physiotheraphy
• Tai Chi
• Yoga
• Art and music therapy
• Psychotherapy
• Massage
• Meditation

Coping with chronic pain

There is no cure for chronic pain, but the condition can be managed successfully. It’s important to stick to your pain management plan to help relieve symptoms. Physical pain is related to emotional pain, so chronic pain can increase your stress levels. Developing emotional skills can help you cope with any stress related to your condition. Here are some steps you can take to reduce stress:

• Take care of your body: Eating well, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly can keep your body healthy and reduce feelings of stress.
• Continue to participate in your daily activities: You can lift your mood and reduce stress by participating in activities you enjoy and socializing with friends. Chronic pain can make it difficult to perform certain tasks. But isolating yourself can give you a more negative perspective on your situation and increase your sensitivity to pain.
• Seek support: Friends, family, and support groups can lend you a helping hand and provide comfort during difficult times. Whether you’re having trouble with daily tasks or simply need an emotional boost, a close friend or loved one can provide the support you need.