What is Chronic Pain?
According to many medical sources, chronic pain is defined as frequently recurring severe pain that flares up frequently and does not respond adequately to common over the counter pain relief medications. This type of pain is also categorized as pain that lasts for a period of more than 6 months, is due to non-life threatening conditions and if not treated or controlled, may be experienced for the lifetime of the person suffering.
What Triggers Chronic Pain?
Many different occurences and factors can lead to chronic pain. Some are the results of aging and others may be triggered by injury or congenital circumstances. Some of the more common types include:
• Improperly healed injuries
• Damage to nerves
• Traumatic injuries
• Arthritis
• Diseases affecting the bones
• Internal organ conditions
• Migraine headaches
• Bad posture over time
• Curvature of the spine
Chronic Pain Relief – What Are The Options
Most current approaches to pain relief involve the use of medications and in some cases, behavioral modifications, physical therapy and even acupuncture. Though over the counter medications can be used to treat some forms of chronic pain, prescription strength options are usually more effective in helping chronic pain sufferers to live pain free. It is always important to consult a physician before taking any prescription pain killers but some of the brands that you will likely see include: Carisoprodol (Soma), Butalbital (Fioricet), Celebrex, and Tramadol (Ultram).
In the extreme cases, treatment may also involve the use of a patient controlled drip mechanism that provides a continuous supply of pain medication. Others may benefit from Trigger Point Injections which involve delivering pain medication directly to the muscles. Surgical implants and Electric Therapy are also sometimes used (although mostly in extreme cases).
Physical therapy is most often used while increasing the body’s flexibility and movement in those suffering with chronic pain. This approach is sometimes combined with electrical nerve stimulation which acts as a "scrambler" with the pain signals being sent to the brain for temporary relief during physical therapy.
Psychological Effects of Chronic Pain
Chronic pain can have many other effects on you that are completely psychological in nature. Feelings of sadness, despair and anger can have an impact on your personality and affect other areas of your life such as sleep patterns and inducing stress (which may actually make your physical pain worse). Treating the psychological component of chronic pain can be difficult and is usually approached from the standpoint of modifying lifestyle practices and your behavior that trigger physical pain; this, along with being educated can be an effective way to treat the psychological effects of chronic pain.
The treatement options put forth in this article are merely an introduction to this wide and complex topic. It is always best to consult with your doctor prior to engaging any treatment methods for chronic pain. It is only after getting a complete view of the cause that you can find the right treatment program. The main thing to remember is that it is no longer necessary to live with pain and that many treatment options are available. Taking the first steps towards treatment can be difficult for many but the benefits of a thorough pain management regimen can add significantly to your quality of life.
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Are you still living with chronic pain? Find out more about pain medication and treatment programs for pain relief at RelievingPain.org
