Understanding and Managing Chronic Pain: Types, Causes, and Treatment Options

Chronic pain is a complex and widespread health issue that affects millions of people every year. It's estimated that 116 million Americans suffer from chronic pain annually, with costs totaling between $560 to $635 billion yearly for medical treatment, lost work time, and lost wages. 

The impact of chronic pain can be severe, affecting each person differently and leading to decreased activity levels, job loss, financial difficulties, anxiety, depression, and disability. It's a condition that requires a comprehensive and personalized approach to manage and improve quality of life.

This article will explore the different types of chronic pain, their causes, and how Nova Vita's pain management program can help alleviate chronic pain and improve your quality of life.

What is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that can significantly affect a person's quality of life. It lasts longer than three months and can have several underlying causes, including illness, injury, or medical conditions. 

Unlike acute pain, which serves as a warning signal and typically resolves once the underlying issue is treated or healed, chronic pain persists beyond the average healing time. It can continue even after the injury or illness has healed. Chronic pain can affect different body parts, including the back, neck, joints, and muscles.

It can impact a person's physical, emotional, and mental well-being, making it difficult to perform daily activities and enjoy life. Chronic pain symptoms can be diverse, with shared experiences including aching, burning, shooting, squeezing, stiffness, stinging, and throbbing sensations. 

Different Types Of Chronic Pain:

Chronic pain can be classified into different types based on the source, duration, and location of the pain. Here are some of the most common types of chronic pain:

• Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain is a persistent condition brought on by either harm or nervous system failure. Various factors, including injury, infection, or underlying medical conditions like diabetes or multiple sclerosis, can cause it. 

• Musculoskeletal Pain

Musculoskeletal pain is a chronic condition affecting the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, or tendons caused by arthritis, fibromyalgia, or injuries. Musculoskeletal pain symptoms can vary from mild to severe, including stiffness, swelling, and limited mobility. 

• Visceral Pain

Visceral pain originates from the internal organs, such as the stomach, intestines, or bladder. It can be caused by various conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), interstitial cystitis, or endometriosis. Visceral pain can include cramping, bloating, or aching sensations, accompanied by changes in bowel or bladder habits.

• Postoperative Pain

Postoperative pain is a type of acute pain that occurs after surgery. It is a common experience for patients, ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain. Treatment for postoperative pain typically involves a combination of pain medications and non-pharmacological therapies, such as ice or heat therapy, relaxation techniques, or physical therapy.

How is Chronic Pain Diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider may physically examine your body and prescribe tests to look for the cause of the pain. The tests commonly used to diagnose chronic pain include:

• Blood tests to check for inflammation, infections, or other underlying medical conditions.
• Electromyography (EMG) to test muscle activity and detect nerve damage
• Imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI, to identify structural damage or abnormalities in the affected area.
• Nerve conduction studies (NCS) evaluate nerve function and detect abnormalities or damage.
• Reflex and balance tests evaluate the nervous system's function.
• Spinal fluid tests to detect infections or other conditions affecting the central nervous system
• Urine tests to check for underlying medical conditions, such as kidney disease or infections.

Treatment Options For Chronic Pain

Initially, healthcare providers aim to identify and address the underlying cause of chronic pain to provide relief. However, if the source of the pain remains unknown, healthcare providers shift their focus toward managing or treating the symptoms. The mode of treatment is determined by various factors, such as:

• type of pain 
• causes of the pain
• individual's overall health and age.

There are a variety of treatment options available for chronic pain, including:

Medications 

Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications to manage pain, inflammation, or other underlying conditions contributing to chronic pain. Using sedatives as a treatment for chronic pain typically involves an entire course of sessions where the sedative drug is periodically infused to relieve pain and alleviate associated problems such as anxiety and depression.

Therapy

Some therapies can also help with pain management. Physical therapy can lessen the discomfort brought on by musculoskeletal disorders and help patients move more freely, strengthen their bodies, and be more flexible. A physical therapist can work with you to develop a personalized exercise program that targets specific areas of pain.

Compression therapy lowers edema and inflammation by applying pressure to the injured area, improves blood flow, and reduces discomfort. This pressure reduces the diameter of blood vessels, decreasing the amount of fluid accumulation in tissues, and reducing swelling and inflammation, common causes of pain.

Lifestyle Changes

Besides drug and therapy treatment, you can make lifestyle modifications for pain management. Physical activity and exercise should be a priority in your treatment plan because it keeps the muscles active, improves the health of organs, and reduces strain on weight-bearing joints. 

On the other hand, you should also focus on improving your sleep pattern. Pain can negatively impact your sleep quality, aggravating inflammation and associated problems. Besides, it also causes fatigue and muscle tiredness, increasing pain intensity. These techniques can be effective in reducing pain and improving overall well-being.

Lastly, you should look for ways to manage stress, as it can influence pain effectively. Identify triggers and avoid negative thoughts to reduce stress and mitigate pain. Good food and a healthy diet is one way for stress management. Incorporate fatty fish, nuts and berries, oats, and dark chocolate to elevate your mood and make you happy about life. 

How Nova Vita Can Help

Living with chronic pain can be challenging and affect many aspects of a person's life. Effective chronic pain management requires a comprehensive approach, including proper diagnosis, medication, physical therapy, and psychological support. Treatment for chronic pain may involve a combination of non-pharmacological therapies, medications, and procedures, depending on the underlying cause and the individual patient's needs.

At Nova Vita Wellness Centers, we offer a comprehensive approach to pain management, focusing on personalized care and utilizing innovative therapies to help patients find relief from chronic pain. Our experienced medical providers work closely with patients to understand their needs and develop customized treatment plans tailored to their conditions.

One of the innovative therapies we offer at Nova Vita is a Ketamine infusion that effectively greatly minimizes chronic pain symptoms. It targets the nervous system, and helps reshape the pain signals previously disrupted by injury, infection, or disease. 

In addition, we also offer non-pharmacological treatments to help manage chronic pain, including ozone therapy, vitamin booster, and weight management. We aim to provide patients with an alternative path to pain management, addressing chronic pain's physical and emotional aspects. 

We understand that living with chronic pain can be challenging. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.  If you are experiencing chronic pain, contact us today to schedule a FREE consultation and learn more about our pain management services.