Chronic Pain Management
By Madhusudhan Tammisetti
Chronic pain, often known as chronic pain syndrome (CPS), is defined as any pain that lasts longer than three months. Chronic pain differs from acute pain in that it develops after injury or sickness but does not go away, causing symptoms to persist for months and years. CPS affects about one-fourth of patients suffering from chronic pain and causes emotional symptoms that include sadness and anxiety along with physical pain.
The pain limits different areas of life, including employment, recreational, social, and self-care. It's one of the prevalent reasons for medical visits, lost workdays, psychological anguish, and pain-killing pharmaceutical addiction.
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a pain that lasts longer than six months and mainly affects one leg, generally after an accident. The dysfunction of the central and peripheral nervous systems is thought to be the cause of CRPS.
Chronic Pain Symptoms
While chronic pain is thought to affect roughly 20 percent of the adults in the United States, an estimated 8 percent (almost 20 million individuals) suffer high-impact chronic pain. It is defined as pain that impairs life or job activities for most days in the previous six months.
It may cause constant dull or sharp pain and on-and-off aching or burning. It may affect daily activities and mobility. It may also reduce strength, flexibility, and stamina. Other symptoms include low libido, depression, anxiety, irritability, and mood changes.
Causes
Different factors may cause it, including neuromuscular, reproductive, and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. There may be several contributing factors, or there may be no obvious or recognizable cause of chronic pain. In other times, it's clear that an accident or sickness triggered the onset of chronic pain.
Treatment
A chiropractor may suggest physical therapy and other exercise programs that may assist in managing chronic pain by increasing blood flow or circulation, lowering edema and stiffness, and increasing the strength, function, and flexibility of the afflicted body part. They may also suggest exercise and body movement to reduce stress, enhance the quality of sleep, and restrict or minimize secondary brain abnormalities linked to chronic pain.
Hot or cold treatments, stretching exercises, positioning, traction, foam roller exercise also known as self-myofascial release, and massage are some of the physical therapy procedures used to manage chronic pain. Most of these factors may make returning to work and doing everyday duties simpler, increasing self-reliance and independence.
Both physical and emotional stress has a role in pain sensitivity. Chronic pain treatment often includes counseling and personal care programs, especially when suffering from secondary symptoms such as PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder. These therapies work by teaching how to respond to pain, improve decision-making, and increase pain tolerance.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Las Vegas, Nev.