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Chronic Pain
Overview:
Chronic pain is that which has persisted for longer than six months. Commonly back or arthritic pain.
Signs and Symptoms:
The sensation of pain is very individual, as is the ability to tolerate it. The type of pain experienced depends on the underlying cause. Chronic pain may be mild or agonising, sporadic or continuous, and commonly symptoms are:
* Spasmodic or cramping muscle pain, especially in the back or neck
* Headache (e.g. sinus headache)
* Arthritis or joint pain
* Weakness of the muscles in the affected body part
* Numbness, tingling or other sensations
* Sleeping difficulties
* Depression
* Fatigue
Causes and Organs Affected:
The causes of chronic pain are many and varied, including:
* Degenerative bone and joint diseases such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis
* Nerve damage (e.g. sciatica)
* Injuries that fail to heal properly
* Curvature and misalignment of the spine
* Underlying disease (e.g. uterine fibroids, cancer, depression)
Some patients also experience pain for which no physical cause can be detected. An example of this is the musculo-skeletal disorder fibromyalgia, in which muscular pain described as throbbing, burning or shooting, is accompanied by such symptoms as stiffness, strange skin sensations, irritable bowel syndrome, PMS, and insomnia.
Treatment:
Always allow an injury to fully heal before re-commencing your exercise programme. Consult your healthcare professional if recovery is not occurring within the time frame it should.
Other Information:
Pain can have a substantial effect on your well-being. For example, persistent severe pain can erode the natural threshold to pain and cause personality changes such as irritability and depressed mood. Work with your healthcare professional to develop a comprehensive treatment and management plan that suits you and your lifestyle.
Regular exercise causes "feel good" chemicals called endorphins to be released by the brain. These can help to relieve the sensation of pain and enhance your mood. Additionally, exercise can benefit long-term pain by improving muscle tone, strength, and flexibility. Low impact forms of exercise, such as Tai chi and swimming, are preferable for chronic pain sufferers.