What is chronic pain?
Everyone experiences aches and general discomfort on occasion, but if your pain lasts for 12 weeks or longer, it’s considered chronic.
Chronic pain affects everyone differently. It can occur anywhere throughout the body and present a wide range of side effects. Some people experience chronic pain that is sharp and shooting; others experience chronic pain that is dull and throbbing. Regardless of the location of your pain, it’s important to seek treatment. This is especially true if your pain doesn’t respond to conservative measures like ice, rest, and elevation.
What are some common types of chronic pain?
At Absolute Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine, the team diagnoses and treats a wide variety of conditions that cause chronic pain, including:
- Headaches
- Post-surgical pain
- Arthritis pain
- Cancer pain
- Post-trauma pain
- Neurogenic pain
- Back pain
- Knee pain
- Joint pain
The team also treats psychogenic chronic pain or pain caused by disease or injury.
What is the process for diagnosing chronic pain?
To diagnose chronic pain, your Absolute Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine provider conducts a physical exam, reviews your medical history, and asks you questions about your symptoms. They might also order laboratory tests or diagnostic imaging like an X-ray or MRI to get a closer look at your bones, joints, and underlying soft tissues.
After gathering all of this information, your provider develops a custom treatment plan to ease discomfort and improve your quality of life.
What is the process for treating chronic pain?
Whenever possible, the team at Absolute Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine recommends conservative, integrative treatments like healthy lifestyle changes. For example, your provider might recommend losing weight; eating a healthy, balanced diet; getting plenty of sleep; and better managing your stress.
If your pain persists even after these measures, you might benefit from opioid medication management or ketamine IV therapy.
Don’t let chronic pain prevent you from living a healthy, active lifestyle. To make your appointment at Absolute Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine, call the office nearest you today.
