Pain is a pain! When you are in chronic pain, you lose your sense of humor, so excuse the pun. It becomes difficult to manage day-to-day activities and relationships take a back seat. Furthermore, chronic pain is never normal. Here is why you should seek treatment.
Chronic vs Acute Pain
Whereas acute pain comes on quickly and is associated with a specific accident or injury and usually dissipates within 6 months of the incident or surgery, chronic pain is ongoing. It lasts longer than 6 months and can continue long after the illness or injury has gone away or healed.
Chronic pain affects 20% of US adults and is related to the following:
- Joint pain from arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, repetitive motion injuries, bursitis, and tendonitis
- Headaches caused by stress, tension, and anxiety including migraines
- Nerve pain from sciatica, diabetic neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, postherpetic neuropathy after a case of shingles
- Back pain has become an epidemic, especially low back pain, and a leading cause of disability
Diseases Related To Chronic Pain
In addition to the above types of chronic pain, we can add diseases that cause chronic pain.
Cancer, gastrointestinal issues like IBS, heart disease, the lungs and COPD, problems with the immune system: herpes, HIV and AIDS-related complications, mental health issues, kidney disease, and bladder problems.
Chronic pain can cause physical effects like stress on our body, tense muscles, limited mobility, and the emotional effects lead to depression, anxiety, and anger.
Emotional factors can also not only cause pain, but make it worse.
You Don’t Have To Live With Chronic Pain
You may have just given up thinking your pain is part of getting older. It is not normal and you don’t have to live with it.
Speak up, tell Palm Beach Pain Institute what you are feeling, how often, and the degree of pain.
There are many ways to treat the pain and get you back to living life to its fullest:
- Get out and walk, swim or do yoga
- Utilize hot and cold therapy like ice, heating pads, a warm shower or bath
- Get a referral for physical therapy
- Try acupuncture
- Ask about medications or other surgical treatments to reduce or relieve your pain
Don’t suffer in silence with chronic pain.
Contact Palm Beach Pain Institute at (561) 499-7020, or request an appointment online, to discuss concerns about any chronic pain and seek treatment.