Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for more than several months (variously defined as 3 to 6 months, but certainly longer than "normal healing"). It's a very common issue. According to recent clinical studies:
For the previous three months, approximately 25.3 million U.S. adults (11.2 percent) experienced daily pain.
Almost 40 million adults (17.6 percent) reported severe pain.
Individuals suffering from severe pain had poorer health, used more health care, and were more disabled than those suffering from less severe pain.
What are some of the conditions that can cause chronic pain?
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Chronic pain can occur in a variety of areas of the body. We frequently treat patients with chronic pain in the following areas:
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Postural syndromes and work-related activities can cause headaches.
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Car accidents, postural syndromes, and work-related activity can all cause neck pain.
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Car accidents, lifting injuries, and slip-and-falls can all cause lower back pain.
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Hip pain caused by osteoarthritis or an injury
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Knee pain from osteoarthritis and sports injuries
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Problems Caused by Chronic Pain
Chronic pain patients frequently have some or all of the following symptoms:
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Fear of performing daily activities
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Tightness and stiffness
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Increased use of pain pills
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New or worsening conditions
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Circulation problems
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How Physical Therapy Can Help
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Emotions, depression, anxiety, nervous system hypersensitivity, tissue damage, and brain pain are all components of chronic pain that have been successfully addressed by:
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Patient education - Physical therapists help chronic pain patients understand that their condition is more complicated than just damaged muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joint tissues.
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Hands-on treatment - Soft tissue and spinal manipulative techniques are frequently effective in reducing pain and increasing mobility.
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Graded exercise programs - Gradually increasing your strength and endurance can make it easier to move around during the day. Consider everyday tasks such as getting out of a chair or a car, climbing stairs, or walking long distances. These are daily activities that can benefit from graded exercise programs provided by a physical therapist.
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Instructions on posture and body mechanics - Understanding how to lift, sit, bend, reach, and perform specific daily activities can be beneficial. Furthermore, gradually resuming normal movements through stretching and strengthening can help with the return to normal daily activities.
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If you suffer with chronic pain, give us a call to learn how we can help you out.
