Understanding and Dealing With Chronic Pain
Chronic pain has been defined as any bodily pain that persists for more than twelve weeks. This pain can be caused by many different conditions and complications in the human body, making it difficult to treat. However, by understanding the source of a patient’s pain and utilizing different treatment options, anyone suffering from daily pain can feel relief and return to a happier, healthier life.
One of the first steps any pain management physician takes is to determine the source of a patient’s pain, whether it is neurological or bone related. Chronic pain can stem from the joints, spine, injuries, headaches, or the nervous system. Conditions causing continuous pain include arthritis, sinusitis, tendinitis or carpal tunnel syndrome.
To determine the reason for pain, physicians can perform a variety of tests. The first piece of the diagnostic process usually includes a detailed questionnaire and physical evaluation. This offers patients an opportunity to talk with their doctors, explaining what their pain feels like and how it affects their daily life. Other tests include CAT scans and MRIs. These take pictures of the body in cross sections, providing physicians with a defined source of chronic pain and inflammation.
Other types of tests include EMG’s to test muscle activity; bone scans to check for fractures, infections or disorders, and myelograms. During a myleogram, a doctor injects a colored dye into the spinal column. This dye shows up on X-rays, representing compression between discs or misalignment of the spine.
Once a physician has identified the source of the pain in their patient, they have a variety of ways to treat and manage it. One common method of dealing with excruciating pain is through prescription drugs. These medications block the body’s receptors that recognize the daily chronic pain. In turn, the drugs provide much needed relief for patients; however, others are finding that a combination of chiropractic care, physical therapy, acupuncture, and yoga can bring soothing relief to their bones and muscles while creating healthy living habits.
While daily pain can be cause for alarm and discomfort, today’s medical field is full of a wide variety of methods for treating and managing pain, no matter the source.
By Dr. James Lin
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