Chronic Pain

Chronic pain refers to persistent pain that lasts longer than the expected healing time. Depending on the body part and the severity of the injury, we would anticipate that our body can heal in a range of a few weeks to a few months. So for example, if someone injured their back years ago, but they are still experiencing symptoms long after the signs of inflammation and tissue injury are gone, this would be referred to as chronic pain. 

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adults have chronic pain
1 million

Characteristics

Everybody experiences pain differently. While acute pain is often characterized by redness, swelling, or warmth, chronic pain is not always visible to someone who is not experiencing it. However, both types of pain are real and can be treated. 

Generally chronic pain is widespread and diffuse in nature. Chronic pain can affect so much more than just the injured tissue. For example, chronic pain can alter: 

  • Mood
  • Energy levels 
  • Ability to concentrate
  • Confidence 
  • Sleep
  • Movement
annual economic burden caused by chronic pain
$ 1 billion

Screens

  • Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire
  • Pain Catastrophization Scale
minimum amount of aerobic activity required per week
1 minutes

Treatments

This type of treatment teaches those in pain about the nerve pathways that occur in our body when we feel pain. The goal is to re-conceptualize pain. This treatment also identifies the many other factors beyond biological that can contribute to pain such as contextual factors, social factors, and psychological factors.

One of the best ways to learn about pain is through analogies and metaphors. 

  • Exercises

Even though movement can be painful and difficult, it is important to use exercise to re-educate the nervous system. Exercise is a great way to help our bodies no longer view movement as a threat. 

  • Manual Therapy

Manual therapy is the use of a physical therapist’s hands to decrease pain and improve function. Despite some common beliefs, manual therapy does not re-position joints, break up fascia, or re-align our body. Instead, touch and small, passive joint movement allows the nervous system to relax in order to decrease muscle guarding. This creates a window of opportunity in which we can get more out of the exercise that follows the manual therapy. 

  • Sleep Hygiene

The importance of sleep cannot be overstated when dealing with chronic pain. Sleep is our body’s opportunity to recharge and recover. Many people have a goal of getting 8 hours of sleep each night, but executing this goal can often be difficult. That is because there are many habits that all can contribute to getting a good night’s sleep. These include:

  • Regular sleep schedule
  • Wind-down time
  • Avoiding artificial blue light
  • Exercise during the day
  • Good sleep environment

Managing and improving your sleep is part of our multi-faceted approach to chronic pain.