Chronic pain is pain that persists beyond the normal healing time for most injuries and illnesses. Chronic pain lasts at least 3 months and in many cases has become a disorder in itself, rather than a symptom of an underlying illness or injury. Chronic pain can also be due to ongoing conditions such as arthritis or neuropathic pain.
Chronic pain is a common problem, affecting about one in 5 people in Australia. It is one of the most common reasons for people to see their doctor, with back pain, headaches and joint pain being the most common complaints. While it can affect people of all ages, it is most common in those older than 65 years, affecting one in 3 people in this age group.
Chronic pain can affect your ability to carry out your daily tasks and can impact on your general wellbeing. While our understanding of chronic pain is constantly improving, there is still much to learn about its causes and how best to treat it. A cure is not always possible, but treatments are available to help manage the pain so that you can get back to your usual activities.
Chronic pain symptoms
Chronic simply means pain that it is persistent. Chronic pain can vary in nature – it may be throbbing, burning, aching or stabbing in quality. It can also vary in severity and may be worse at times of increased stress or physical exertion.
Most people with chronic pain also have other symptoms that trouble them. These can include:
- tiredness;
- problems sleeping;
- depressed mood or anxious mood;
- other sensory symptoms, such as pins and needles; and
- reduced appetite.
Most people with chronic pain have symptoms that last several months to years. People with chronic pain may also feel frustrated and poorly understood by both medical professionals and their families and friends. Many feel like they are not being heard or believed. Chronic pain has the potential to impact all areas of your life, including work, relationships and overall wellbeing.
Treating chronic pain
Chronic pain should always be treated – you shouldn’t wait for it to get better on its own. There are a variety of treatments available to help you manage your pain and get back to your usual activities. A combination of treatments (including physical activity, psychological treatments and medicines) is generally the best approach.
Any chronic pain that is due to an ongoing inflammatory or degenerative condition (such as arthritis) will need specific treatment for their underlying condition as well as pain management.
Chronic pain treatment will be different for everyone – we will draw up a personal management plan which is tailored to you.
A type of psychological therapy called cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help in the treatment of chronic pain. It involves working with a therapist to understand your pain better and change how you perceive and react to it.
CBT can help you feel more in control. Your therapist can help you to set goals and come up with solutions for coping with pain and improving participation in everyday activities. Therapy can be individual with a therapist in person or online, or in a group setting.
Other psychological treatments that may help include:
- meditation and relaxation therapy;
- mindfulness; and
- hypnosis.
Psychological therapy is an important and effective component of chronic pain treatment. If psychological therapy is recommended for you, it doesn’t mean that your healthcare team thinks the pain is not real.
Source:http://www.mydr.com.au/pain/chronic-pain-management/