CHRONIC PAIN

Understanding chronic pain

While acute pain can occur suddenly with an injury or trauma, chronic pain is a pain problem that exists for a longer period of time, such as three to six months or more. Chronic pain typically is harder to treat.

Pain can be sourced in connective tissues, skin, muscles or bones in the body. Other types of chronic pain that can be challenging to diagnose and treat are pain problems that exist when there is no obvious source of injury or trauma. This can include problems like:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)
• Fibromyalgia
• Jaw or dental pain

Depending on the pain problem the pain management specialist may use wide range of nonsurgical treatment options, interventional treatments or therapies to deal with chronic pain with the goal of providing some long-term relief from pain symptoms.

Types of drugs involved in treatment of chronic pain can include:

• Opioids
• Steroids
• Antidepressants
• Topical pain creams

While medications may be used to relieve symptoms, long-term dependence on drugs can damage internal organs and shorten a person’s lifespan. Consequently, the pain management physician may use interventional treatments like injections or other procedures that provide long lasting pain relief without the use of drugs.



During the first visit, the pain management specialist will try to determine as much information as possible for what may be the cause of the pain symptom. Questions would include:

• WHERE is the pain and WHEN did it start?
• What OTHER symptoms have you noticed?
• What does it FEEL LIKE? Is it sharp or dull, achy or burning or tingling?
• What ACTIVITIES make the pain worse, and what makes the pain better?
• Does the pain get worse or better morning vs later at night?
• What drugs are you currently taking?
• What pain treatments have already been tried? Any successfully?

Biofeedback and behavioral therapy

Biofeedback specialists try to reduce anxiety and pain symptoms by relaxing muscles to help relieve tension. Biofeedback techniques have been shown to reduce heart rate and improve breathing which can make a person more relaxed. Using biofeedback skills, a person can learn some new tools to control their body and in some cases reduce pain symptoms. Similarly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a common psychological intervention for chronic pain. CBT focuses on helping a person understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, emotions and their pain.

Other alternative medicine options for chronic pain

Alternative medicine may be an option after traditional mainstream treatments have been exhausted. In some other countries, for example, acupuncture is a commonly used treatment option for some pain symptoms. Other things that may provide some relief include massage, hypnosis, spinal manipulation (chiropractic), tai chi, yoga and meditation.

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