Chronic pain can occur anywhere in the body for months or even years. It messes with your day-to-day activities and might even make you sad or worried.
To get the problem under control, we must first identify what’s causing it. To manage it, you need to use a combination of medicines, therapies, and lifestyle changes.
Table of Contents
What is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain occurs when the pain persists beyond the usual recovery period or when it occurs in conjunction with a chronic health condition, such as arthritis.
Typically, it is defined as pain that lasts at least 12 weeks, although it may last for months or even years.
Depending on its intensity, chronic pain can feel sharp, dull, burning, or aching. It may be steady or intermittent, coming and going without apparent cause.
What Causes Chronic Pain Syndrome?
Chronic Pain Syndrome (CPS) can be caused by a variety of factors, making it difficult to pinpoint a single cause. When a person develops CPS, it usually occurs after an injury or painful condition that persists past the normal healing period. Here are some examples:
- Arthritis and other joint problems
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Headaches
- Knee pain
- Muscle strains and sprains
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Fibromyalgia
- Nerve damage
- Lyme disease
- Broken bones
- Cancer
- Acid reflux or ulcers
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Endometriosis
- Surgical trauma
Depression, anxiety, and stress can affect pain perception and exacerbate chronic pain. Psychological factors are also important in CPS, which persists even after physical healing due to psychological factors.
Chronic pain can be exacerbated by unhealthy lifestyles including lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, and smoking
There is a genetic component to certain chronic pain conditions, such as migraines or fibromyalgia.
Symptoms
Chronic pain causes a variety of symptoms that can negatively impact a person’s quality of life. There is a wide range of types of pain that can be experienced. It may be described as:
- A dull ache
- Throbbing
- Burning
- Shooting
- Squeezing
- Stinging
- Soreness
- Stiffness
Chronic pain can reduce your mobility, stamina, and flexibility because you’re not as active. In turn, this can result in muscle aches and joint pains.
It is common for people with chronic pain to have sleep problems, either difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, which can exacerbate their fatigue.
There are many emotional and psychological effects associated with chronic pain, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Mood changes
- A feeling of hopelessness or helplessness due to persistent pain
How to Diagnose Chronic Pain
Diagnosing chronic pain requires a detailed consultation with a medical professional, during which you will discuss your medical history, the characteristics of your pain, and how it affects your daily life. This process includes:
- Describing the pain (e.g., burning, aching, shooting).
- Discussing when the pain started and whether it is constant or intermittent.
- Identifying any known triggers or alleviating factors.
- Reviewing any previous treatments and their outcomes.
You will undergo a thorough physical examination to assess your overall health and look for signs of conditions that could cause your pain. This examination may involve checking the areas where you experience pain, looking for visible signs of injury or illness, and testing your reflexes and range of motion.
Depending on the findings from the history and physical examination, various diagnostic tests may be recommended:
- Imaging Tests: X-rays, MRI scans, or CT scans to look for structural abnormalities.
- Blood Tests: To check for underlying conditions that might be contributing to the pain.
- Neurological Diagnostic Tests: Such as electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies to evaluate nerve function.
- Psychological Assessment: To assess the impact of pain on your mental health and to rule out psychogenic pain.
In some cases, more specialized tests might be needed:
- Bone Scans: To detect bone abnormalities.
- Myelograms: To assess the spinal cord and nerves.
- Nerve Block: To determine if blocking a specific nerve can relieve pain.
Various scales and questionnaires may be used to help quantify the pain and its impact on your life. These tools can provide a baseline for understanding the severity of the pain and for monitoring changes over time.
Treatments
You should consult a healthcare professional if you are suffering from chronic pain. You can visit:
- Primary Care Physician: Start with your primary care doctor who can evaluate your pain and provide initial treatment or refer you to a specialist.
- Pain Specialist: Consider seeing a pain management specialist who can offer more focused expertise in chronic pain treatments.
- Physical Therapist: A physical therapist can help with exercises and manual therapy techniques to manage pain and improve function.
You’ll get to explore various treatment options and maybe integrate complementary and conventional therapies, including:
- Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications: These may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or acetaminophen for mild to moderate pain.
- Prescription Medications: Depending on the type of pain, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants, anticonvulsants, or opioids for more severe pain. However, opioids are generally reserved for the most severe cases due to the risk of addiction and side effects.
- Physical Therapy Exercise: Engage in physical therapy exercises to improve strength and mobility, which can help manage chronic pain.
- Manual Therapy: Techniques such as massage or manipulation may be part of your physical therapy treatment plan.
Some doctors might recommend complementary and alternative treatments, such as
- Acupuncture: This traditional Chinese medicine technique has been shown to be effective for certain types of pain.
- Mind-Body Therapies: Techniques such as meditation, relaxation training, and cognitive-behavioral therapy can help manage the psychological aspects of chronic pain.
- Massage Therapy: Can help reduce stress and relieve tension, potentially easing pain.
- Tai Chi and Yoga: These practices can help reduce pain and improve mobility for some chronic pain conditions.
If you want to address the root cause of chronic pain, you also have to make some lifestyle modifications, including:
- Diet and Nutrition: Some dietary changes and supplements may help manage inflammation and pain.
- Exercise and Weight Management: Regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the burden of chronic pain.
When to See a Doctor
You should consider seeing a doctor for chronic pain if
- You have pain that lasts for more than 12 weeks.
- The pain starts to interfere with your daily activities.
- You find yourself relying on over-the-counter medications without adequate relief.
- Your chronic pain is causing depression, anxiety, or affecting your mental well-being.
- You have a past injury that is causing you pain, even after it has healed.
- You have a health condition that is related to or could be causing chronic pain, such as chronic pain. syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, or fibromyalgia.
- Your pain is accompanied by other symptoms like fever, tingling, or a limited range of motion.
- There is a sudden increase in pain intensity, loss of muscle power, changes in bladder or bowel control, or a sudden onset of numbness or tingling.
- You’re having problems sleeping due to pain.
Remember, chronic pain can be complex and multifaceted, and a healthcare provider can help diagnose the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Sophia Anderson, PT, DPT is a physical therapist who offers online pain management consultations. She helps people with various types of pain, especially neck, back, and knee pain.
She graduated from the University of St. Augustine with a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. She has experience in orthopedic physical therapy, sports medicine, neurological rehabilitation, advanced assessment and treatment of running injuries, and advanced treatment of the pelvic complex, spine, and extremities.
If you’re experiencing any pain, let Sophia Anderson, PT, DPT help you out.