Chronic Pain

The Hazards Of Chronic Pain

By Jarrett Kruse

Chronic pain can be the result of injury, as with some chronic back pain. Dealing with any pain is no fun, but chronic pain can be debilitating and lead to other problems. One of the hazards of chronic pain is the frequent onset of severe depression. Chronic pain treatment can vary according to the cause, and some options have proven successful in pain relief for chronic pain patients. Back and skeletal problems are among the leading causes of chronic pain, including radiating arm pain and shoulder pain. Arthritis and other joint pain also frequently cause chronic pain.

Many diseases and disorders cause chronic pain: arthritis, fibromyalgia, spinal degenerative disease, herniated discs, slipped vertebrae, and literally dozens if not hundreds of other ailments. No one treatment is a cure-all, but many patients have found success with one or more of the following techniques:

  • Prescription medication; Doctors usually prescribe one of three types of medication or any combination of them: anti-inflammatory drugs, pain killers, and muscle relaxers.
  • Over-the-counter medication. The same three categories of medication are available in drug stores in less concentrated form. Your health care provider or pharmacist can help you choose the right one or combination.
  • Physical therapy: Most good physical therapists include a program of exercises for the patient to perform at home. By strengthening the muscles included in surrounding the area of pain, you can relieve many of your symptoms.
  • Chiropractics: Many people feel relief from a realignment of their spines by a skilled chiropractor.
  • Acupuncture. This ancient Chinese method of treatment has proved successful for many patients. The acupuncturist inserts needles into particular points in the body, redirecting energy.
  • TENS unit. TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. A ‘TENS unit’ is a small, battery-operated device your doctor can give you that sends electrical impulses to certain parts of the body to block pain signals.