chronic pain

What is Chronic Pain?

Chronic Pain is a persistent pain that lasts for weeks, months, or even years beyond the typical healing time of an injury or illness. It can result from various conditions, such as arthritis, nerve damage, or injuries, and often has a significant impact on a person’s quality of life, affecting their physical, emotional, and social well-being.

Mechanism of Injury:

Chronic pain often develops after an injury or illness, but in some cases, it can occur without a clear cause. Several mechanisms can contribute to chronic pain:

Nerve Damage: Injury or illness that damages nerves can lead to chronic pain, such as in conditions like neuropathy or post-surgical pain.
Central Sensitisation: The nervous system becomes overly sensitive to pain, causing normal sensations to be perceived as painful (hyperalgesia) or causing pain to spread beyond the original injury site.
Inflammation: Chronic inflammation, as seen in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, can lead to ongoing pain.
Psychological Factors: Stress, anxiety, and depression can exacerbate or even trigger chronic pain by affecting the way the brain processes pain signals.
Muscle Imbalances: Persistent muscle tension or imbalances can lead to chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Symptoms

Persistent Pain: Continuous or intermittent pain that lasts longer than 3 to 6 months, affecting daily activities and quality of life.
Aching, Burning, or Shooting Pain: The pain may vary in intensity and character, ranging from a dull ache to sharp, stabbing, or burning sensations.
Stiffness and Muscle Tension: Chronic pain can cause muscles to tighten, leading to stiffness and reduced mobility.
Fatigue: Persistent pain can be exhausting, often leading to chronic fatigue.
Sleep Disturbances: Pain can interfere with the ability to fall or stay asleep, leading to poor sleep quality and exacerbating pain symptoms.
Mood Changes: Anxiety, depression, irritability, and feelings of helplessness or frustration are common emotional responses to chronic pain.
Decreased Appetite: Ongoing pain may reduce appetite, leading to weight loss and nutritional deficiencies.
Difficulty Concentrating: Chronic pain can make it hard to focus or think clearly, often referred to as "brain fog."

Treatment

Medication:

Analgesics: Pain relievers such as acetaminophen or NSAIDs to manage mild to moderate pain.
Antidepressants and Anticonvulsants: Medications like amitriptyline or gabapentin that can help relieve nerve pain and improve mood.
Opioids: For severe pain, but used with caution due to the risk of addiction.
Topical Analgesics: Creams or patches applied to the skin to relieve localised pain.
Physical Therapy:
Exercise Therapy: Gentle, regular exercise to improve strength, flexibility, and overall function, tailored to the individual’s pain condition.
Stretching: Regular stretching exercises to maintain flexibility and reduce muscle tension.
Postural Training: Correcting posture to reduce strain on muscles and joints, which can alleviate pain.
TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation): Low-voltage electrical impulses applied to the skin to disrupt pain signals.

In-Clinic Treatments:

Dry Needling: Used to relieve muscle tension and reduce trigger point pain.
Ultrasound Therapy: Deep tissue stimulation to promote healing and reduce pain.
Massage Therapy: To relieve muscle tension, improve circulation, and alleviate pain.
Cupping Therapy: To increase blood flow and reduce muscle stiffness.
Rehabilitation Plan: A comprehensive program including physical therapy, pain management strategies, and lifestyle changes to manage chronic pain.