Chronic Pain

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Living with Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is pain that lasts for a period of 12 weeks or more. It is persistent and sometimes unrelenting often for months or even longer. Chronic pain can follow an initial injury that did not have adequate time to heal. If not treated, it can limit a patient’s movement, hinder flexibility and lead to disability. Other health problems can accompany chronic pain such as:

  • Fatigue
  • Sleep disruption
  • Decreased appetite
  • Mood changes

Diagnosing Chronic Pain

Everyone’s pain is unique. It is a subjective experience that diagnostic tools cannot measure or locate with great accuracy. Your doctor will rely on the description of your pain (sharp, dull, constant, intermittent, etc.) to help determine a treatment plan. Your specific pain history and your symptoms will guide your health care professional toward the most beneficial treatment plan. 

Treating Chronic Pain

The goal in treating chronic pain is to reduce the pain, restore function to the area affected and resume daily activities with tools to manage the pain. There are a number of options for treating chronic pain sufferers such as:

  • Medication
  • Acupuncture
  • Massage therapy
  • Nerve blocks
  • Electrical stimulation
  • Surgery
  • Coping mechanisms

You can partner with you doctor to develop a treatment plan that will allow you to manage your pain and resume your daily activities, increasing your quality of life. Chronic pain may not go away completely, but with the proper diagnosis and treatment plan, your health can be improved.