Chronic Pain 101 (11)
Chronic pain is the term for pain that lasts long after the initial injury has healed. It may be caused by a disease, such as arthritis, or it may be the result of an injury such as back strain. Chronic pain can affect anyone, regardless of age or background, and can occur in almost any part of the body.
Types of Chronic Pain (26)
Chronic Pain can be caused by any number of diseases or injuries, from sprains and strains to cancer. Some of the most common causes of chronic pain are back pain, headaches, joint pain and nerve pain. Pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia and central pain syndrome also top the list.
Testing & Diagnosis (18)
Being diagnosed with chronic pain can be a long, frustrating process as other possible conditions are ruled out one by one. In some cases, no physical cause for pain is ever found.
Treatment (38)
How you treat chronic pain varies, depending on your actual diagnosis. Most people use a combination of traditional and non-traditional approaches to manage day to day pain.
Living With Chronic Pain (16)
Chronic pain does not only cause physical discomfort: it can disrupt your routine. Left untreated or uncontrolled, it can keep you from participating in the things that matter most, such as work, leisure time and family life. With the support of loved ones, your physician and even community groups, however, you can continue to live a full life even if you have chronic pain.
Exercise & Lifestyle (9)
Don’t think that having chronic pain has to limit what you are able to do. Regular exercise and a healthy diet have been shown to reduce the effects of chronic pain, especially when used in conjunction with other treatments. Exercise and a healthy lifestyle can give you more energy, help you sleep better and maintain your strength and endurance.
Alternative Medicine (10)
Alternative medicine and complimentary medicine are non-traditional treatments that are often used to treat chronic pain. Alternative medicine is used on its own, while complimentary medicine is used in addition to traditional pain treatments. These non-traditional treatments include massage, acupuncture, energy medicine and hypnosis.
Pain and Mental Health (6)
Living with chronic pain every day puts a strain on your psychological well-being. Keeping the mind healthy while the body struggles is not always easy, but it plays a huge role in coping with day to day pain.
Research (6)
Doctors and scientists are constantly publishing new finds about chronic pain. These include new medications, breakthrough treatments, alternative treatments, more accurate ways to diagnose chronic pain and the effectiveness of pain treatments.
Support (6)
If your friend or loved one is suffering from chronic pain, it can be difficult to understand what they are going through. On the other hand, if you are suffering from chronic pain, talking to your loved ones about your pain may be difficult or even uncomfortable. Support groups, counseling and online information centers are valuable resources both for chronic pain sufferers and their loved ones.
