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22355 48 Ave (Unit 102), Langley BC V3A 3N4

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Regain Health Physiotherapy & Hand Clinic

Chronic Pain Management

Chronic Pain

Pain that lasts for 3 months or longer is called chronic. Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong. It’s normal for you to have pain when you are injured or ill. But pain that lasts for weeks, months, or years is not normal.

Chronic pain can occur anywhere in your body. It can range from being mild and annoying to being so bad that it gets in the way of your daily activities.

Anyone can get chronic pain. It’s more common in older adults, but it’s not a normal part of aging. Older adults are more likely to have long-term medical problems, such as diabetes or arthritis, which can lead to ongoing pain.

What causes chronic pain?

The cause of chronic pain is not always clear. It may occur because brain chemicals that usually stop pain after you get better from an illness or injury are not working right. Or damaged nerves can cause the pain. Chronic pain can also occur without a known cause.

What are the symptoms?

Common symptoms of chronic pain include:

  • Mild to very bad pain that does not go away as expected.
  • Pain that is shooting, burning, aching, or electrical.
  • Soreness, tightness, or stiffness.

What other problems can chronic pain cause?

If you have pain for a long time, it can make you feel very tired and may lead to depression. It can get in the way of your usual social and physical activities. You may have so much pain that you can’t go to work or school.

The emotional upset may make your pain worse. And your body’s defence system (immune system) may get weak, leading to lots of infections and illnesses.

How is chronic pain diagnosed?

Your doctor can find out if you have chronic pain by asking about your past illnesses and your overall health. He or she will also do a physical examination.

You may have tests to find out if a medical problem is causing the pain. Your doctor may check for problems with your nervous system and may order blood tests. He or she may also ask you questions to check your mood and mental health and to see how well you are able to think, reason, and remember.

In most cases, test results are normal. This can make it hard to know the exact cause of the pain. But this doesn’t mean that your pain isn’t real.

How is it treated?

You can use home treatment for mild pain or pain that you have now and then. Exercising and getting enough sleep may help reduce chronic pain.

Using over-the-counter pain medicines may also help. You may want to try complementary therapies such as physiotherapy.

Talk to your doctor if your pain does not go away or if it gets worse. You may need to try different treatments to find what works for you. Medicines you take by mouth, shots of numbing medicine, acupuncture, nerve stimulation, and surgery are used for some types of chronic pain.

It is important to make a clear treatment plan with your doctor. The best plan may include combining treatments such as physiotherapy, massage and yoga.

Cause

The cause of chronic pain is not clear.

When you have an injury or illness, certain nerves send pain signals to your brain. With chronic pain, these pain signals keep going for weeks, months, or even years after you recover.

Chronic pain can develop after a major injury or illness, such as a back injury or shingles, or it can happen without a known cause. It is also possible that certain brain chemicals that usually suppress pain stop working the way they’re supposed to.

Pain can affect:

  • Muscles, bones, and joints. This pain can happen from injuries or muscle strain. Health problems like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia also can cause it.
  • Nerves and the nervous system. This type of pain happens because of pressure on nerves or damage to them from an injury or a health problem. Sometimes pain occurs when something goes wrong with the central nervous system. This can happen with diabetes, shingles, and sciatica, for example.
  • Organs. Pain in your organs occurs because of injuries, infections, or health problems such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, pelvic pain, and stomach ulcers.

Symptoms

The symptoms of chronic pain include:

  • Pain that does not go away as expected after an illness or injury.
  • Pain that may be described as shooting, burning, aching, or electrical.
  • Discomfort, soreness, tightness, or stiffness.

Pain can lead to other problems, such as:

  • Fatigue, which can cause impatience and a loss of motivation.
  • Sleeplessness, often because the pain keeps you awake during the night.
  • Withdrawal from activity and an increased need to rest.
  • A weakened immune system, leading to frequent infections or illness.
  • Depression, which is common and can make your pain worse.
  • Other mood changes, such as hopelessness, fear, irritability, anxiety, and stress.
  • Disability, which may include not being able to go to work or school or perform other daily activities.

What can you expect from Regain Healthcare consultation?

It’s critical to be prepared for your first appointment with a pain care clinic like ours. You should expect the following:

  • A review of you medical history
  • Discussion regarding the nature of your pain problem
  • A physical examination
  • Request for any tests (MRI, X-ray, CT) results which you might possess

A comprehensive evaluation is essential in order to create a personalized treatment plan for you.

The chronic pain treatment

You may be able to control your pain at home by using pain relievers and practicing healthy habits.

When home treatment isn’t enough, other treatments may include:

  • Pain medicines or medicines to treat problems that are linked to chronic pain.
  • Surgery, such as intrathecal drug delivery and spinal cord stimulation.
  • Treatments such as counselling, physiotherapy, and complementary therapies.

When people come to our clinic, they are offered a clear, efficient treatment plan for relief of their pain.

We are here to simplify the process and offer access to the most advanced therapies available. We offer the best possible solution for your pain, allowing you to get more out of your life.

We understand how chronic pain can affect your quality of life. We are committed to providing the highest level of care and professional service to help you find relief. We provide a supportive and caring environment so that you can focus on managing your pain and improving your quality of life.

Our team of experts will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that takes into account your individual needs. We will also provide ongoing support and guidance throughout your treatment so that you can make the most of your pain management program.

Are you in pain?

Let our professional physical therapist help you today. Don’t let a minor ache become a major injury.

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