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Chronic pain can really interfere with your life. You can no longer do simple things like getting out of bed and living your life in New York as you did before you got hurt. When the pain comes on unexpectedly, it can bring a profound sense of unease. Developing chronic pain is nothing to be ashamed of.
Life with chronic pain can be challenging. It leaves you with many questions, a lot of frustration, and even some desperation. It can be frustrating when basic steps to treat chronic pain aren't working the way you want. You may be tired of taking medication that doesn't seem to work. You may have been looking around online and reading stories. But there are things you can do to find the pain management option that is right for you. So keep on reading if you are looking for pain management NYC services for chronic pain.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people. The source of the pain can be either physical or emotional, and it can be constant or intermittent. Chronic pain is often associated with other health problems and may require long-term treatment. It affects the body, but it can also affect your mood and thoughts. Chronic pain has multiple definitions, but it is often defined as pain that lasts longer than six months or past the time of expected healing.
Chronic pain can result from an underlying disorder or medical condition such as arthritis or diabetes or from cancer treatment (chemotherapy). It can also be caused by poor posture and an injury or traumatic events such as surgery, motor vehicle accidents, and sports injuries.
Chronic pain can be classified according to its duration (acute vs. chronic), its location (localized vs. generalized), and the person's age at onset (childhood vs. adult). Anybody who's suffered from chronic pain knows it is a long-term, life-altering situation. That can be very debilitating and leave one feeling stuck in a cycle of pain management. No longer do you have the energy to get up and go. What's worse is that painkillers are addictive and costly, and you have to take them for the rest of your life with no guarantee of success.
Types Of Chronic Pain
There are several types of chronic pain that can occur at any age, and the kind of pain management treatment you get will depend on the cause of your chronic pain.
The most common types of chronic pain include:
Back and neck pain
Headache (including migraine)
Arthritis and joint pain
Fibromyalgia
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Nerve Pain
Muscle Pain
Joint Pain
Arthritis Pain
Symptoms Of Chronic Pain
Chronic pain symptoms vary widely from person to person and often overlap with other medical conditions. How do you know if you have chronic pain? Common symptoms include:
You have pain that persists for more than three months
You're in constant pain or have flare-ups and periods of remission
You are unable to do daily activities because of the pain
You experience fatigue, depression, and anxiety
You have a poor appetite
You wake up at night due to pain or pain interferes with your sleep
Your mood changes when your symptoms flare up or improve
Classifications Of Chronic Pain
Chronic pain has been defined as pain that persists beyond the usual course of an acute disease or healing of an injury and that may or may not be associated with an underlying or preexisting medical condition.
Chronic pain can be classified as:
Neuropathic pain – caused by dysfunction of the central or peripheral nervous system or disease of the nerves (e.g., burning feet syndrome). This can sometimes be treated with medication but most often requires surgery and other treatments.
Psychogenic pain – caused by emotional or mental factors, like stress. While psychotherapy may help, there are no medications that will treat this type of chronic pain.
Musculoskeletal pain – caused by problems with bones, joints, or muscles. Treatment depends on the cause of the pain and may include physical therapy or surgery if necessary.
Nociceptive– caused by activity in peripheral nerves and spinal cord, resulting in the perception of pain (e.g., toothache).
Structural– caused by a physical abnormality in the body's tissues (e.g., arthritis)
Vascular – caused by vascular disorders such as thrombosis and vasculitis
Chronic Pain Management
Chronic pain affects people in different ways. It can have a significant impact on your life, and it can limit your ability to perform daily activities, such as going to work or doing chores around the house. It can make it difficult to work and participate in activities you enjoy. It can also cause depression and anxiety because it disrupts your sleep patterns and makes it difficult for you to relax.
Chronic pain is also one of the most common reasons people seek medical care. It should not be ignored or tolerated because it can lead to serious medical problems if not treated appropriately.
Pain Management Treatment Options
There are many pain management options without relying on prescription medications or surgery to treat chronic pain. You may need to try each or combine several treatments. It may take time and effort before finding what works for you, but it will be worth it. You can find chronic pain relief — no matter what causes it — with these proven strategies:
Physical therapy
Acupuncture
Massage therapy
Chiropractic care
Interventional pain management
Physical medicine and rehabilitation
These options can help ease muscle tension and restore range of motion in joints, which can reduce pain caused by muscle spasms or weak muscles. In addition, these strategies may help reduce stress on joints by improving posture and balance control as well as strengthening bones with personalized programs.
Benefits Of Pain Management
Chronic pain is a condition that can be debilitating, but it's not something you have to live with. It's important to get regular treatment from a health care provider who understands the challenges of living with this condition. Your provider will help you manage your pain and other symptoms, such as fatigue or depression.
When you see your pain management provider regularly for ongoing care, you'll be able to:
Get a better understanding of your pain.
Find ways to manage your pain more effectively.
Learn about new treatments that may be available that could help you feel better or get back to normal activities sooner.
Reduce stress and anxiety and manage other mental health conditions related to your chronic pain by getting support from people who understand what you're going through — especially if you have trouble leaving home because of pain or other problems related to chronic illness.
Reduce the risk of side effects from medication.
Have fewer flare-ups, which means less risk of addiction and substance abuse.
Improve your quality of life overall.
Chronic Pain-Free Life Is Possible
If you're struggling with chronic pain, it cannot be easy to imagine a brighter future. But it's never too late—or too early—to start treating your condition and improving the quality of your life at the same time. You should never be content to just accept your chronic pain, so get familiar with the options available and choose the one that's right for you.
Speak with a pain management specialist about your options and consider scheduling an appointment to discuss the different treatment plans and their outcomes. It may seem overwhelming at first, but you're not alone. Finding a pain doctor that understands your condition and how to treat it properly is an important step in the pain management process. And finding a treatment plan that works is never easy, but it's possible with the right approach and support system, you can make progress with your pain management and start feeling better.
If you're ready to apply these precepts, reach out to us at our pain management NYC center today; we'll be happy to help you get started on the right track.