What Is Chronic Pain and How Can It Be Managed Effectively?

In the broad and over-encompassing field of pain management, there are many different treatments, therapies, approaches, and philosophies of care that can be defined into distinct types. Among the many types of pain management, some of the most popular include:

• Physical Therapy
• Psychological Therapy
• Alternative Therapy

At American Pain and Wellness, there are many treatments we use to help relieve severe chronic pain. The exact treatment used will depend on a number of factors, which are unique to each patient, including:

• The type of pain
• The area(s) affected
• Limitations on quality of life
• Limitations on mobility/range of motion
• Chronicity (duration) of the pain
• History of previous treatments and their success
 
Based on the aforementioned factors, there are dozens of potential ways we treat severe chronic pain at American Pain and Wellness. It could range from joint injections to regenerative medicine like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, to physical therapy.

Constant, chronic pain has many detrimental effects on a person’s well-being, and influences many spheres of life, including:

Effects on the brain include:

• Impaired mental health, including an increased risk for mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety
• Living in fear and anxiety
• Heightened stress levels
• Low sense of self and confidence
• Problems with memory and decision making
• Difficulty regulating emotions
• Increased risk of dementia
• Brain fog

Effects on the body include:

• Deconditioning (avoidance of activities to prevent pain)
• Tendency to withdraw from activity
• Compensation (modifying posture and movement to alleviate pressure or weight on the injured or painful area)
• Increased risk of hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Weight gain
• Malnutrition
• Digestive issues
• Reduced immune system
• Sexual dysfunction

Effects on daily life include:

• Withdrawal from social activity
• Relationship strain
• Inability to perform everyday tasks
• Inability to live independently
• Insomnia and disrupted routine

Chronic pain is a long-term, persistent pain that continues for more than 3 months; it is not a disease but rather a symptom of an underlying condition. The symptoms of chronic pain vary from person to person and depend on the location of the pain. Some common symptoms are headaches, fatigue, joint stiffness, and sleep disturbances. In most cases, the cause of chronic pain is unknown, but there are some possible causes, such as injury or illness in the past; exposure to toxins or chemicals (for example, in the work environment); persistent inflammation or infection (such as arthritis); nerve damage; and genetic predisposition. It can be difficult to diagnose chronic pain due to its varied nature and because it can be caused by various diseases that have similar symptoms, like depression or anxiety.
 
The well-established and trusted pain management specialists at American Pain and Wellness can help you take care of your pain and improve your physical capability and overall quality of life. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 1101 Raintree Circle #240 Allen, Texas 75013. We serve patients from Allen TX, Plano TX, Fairview TX, McKinney TX, Parker TX, Lucas TX, Murphy TX, and surrounding areas. We look forward to serving you!