Chronic pain
What is chronic pain?
Chronic pain, sometimes described as persistent pain, refers to pain which lasts for longer than 12 weeks, despite medication or treatment being prescribed. Usually, over time, pain settles, but in some cases it can go on for a long time, affecting mental well-being, and causing discomfort and distress to those experiencing it.
Chronic pain is relatively common, with estimates from a 2018 BMJ study putting prevalence in the UK at 43%.
What causes chronic pain?
Chronic pain can happen as a result of an injury, or after an operation. Normally the pain we feel after trauma goes away after a while, but in some cases the pain can be chronic. Nerves can be damaged after trauma, which results in pain being more intense, and lasting longer.
Those with certain conditions can also experience chronic pain, such as those with diabetes, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel conditions, endometriosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, and back pain.
Chronic pain can also occur without any obvious cause or trigger. This can be frustrating as medical tests do not always show the reason behind why you are experiencing the pain, or offer a clear source.
What are the symptoms of chronic pain?
Chronic pain refers to symptoms of pain lasting over 12 weeks, but you may also experience some of the following symptoms as a result of pain affecting your physical and emotional health:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Lack of sleep
- Loss of libido
- Fatigue
- Irritability
How is chronic pain treated?
While it was once treated by bed rest, it is now known that the key to recovering from chronic pain is through exercise, and resuming normal activities. This is because resting for long periods causes your body to stiffen through inactivity. It is also not good for your mental health, as you can begin to feel lonely, and feelings of depression. Chronic pain is now typically managed through a combination of resuming regular activity, exercise, physical therapy, and pain medication.
Some may also choose to visit or be referred to a psychologist to help them cope with feelings of anxiety or depression.
Speak to your GP to come up with a treatment plan and for specialist referral if necessary. Many doctors can help with chronic pain, including pain management specialists, sports medicine doctors, rheumatologists, and neurologists.
Coping with chronic illness using cognitive behavioural therapy
By Dr Morwenna Opie
2021-07-23
Living with a chronic pain condition can be tough on your mental wellbeing as well as taking its toll on you physically. Thankfully, cognitive behavioural therapies can be used to help you accept and adjust as best as you can to your condition. Read more from one of our expert clinical psychologists Dr Morwenna Opie about how it works. See more
Fluoroscopic guided injections: how technology delivers safer pain relief treatment
By Dr Yasser Mehrez
2021-07-23
Pain medicine is one of the fastest-growing medical specialties. The advancement in technology has helped in the development of new treatments to deliver effective pain relief interventions, such as fluoroscopic guided injections. Dr Yasser Mehrez, a consultant in pain medicine, give us a rundown of how they are performed and the type of treatments you can receive. See more
Nerve block to combat chronic knee pain
By Dr Sarang Puranik
2021-07-22
In need of knee pain relief? Expert pain medicine specialist Dr Sarang Puranik explains a very simple procedure, the genicular nerve block, that can alleviate chronic pain and reduce the need for long-term painkillers. See more
Is it easy to become addicted to opioid painkillers when living in chronic pain?
By Dr Oscar D’Agnone
2021-07-21
Pain is a common symptom that some people may have to live with every day. But medicating chronic pain in conditions such as arthritis, migraines and fibromyalgia, could be a slippery slope for some who may rely on these pain relievers, such as opioids, too much. Here, one of our top psychiatrist Dr Oscar D'Agnone explains how it's so easy to become addicted to painkillers. See more
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Surrey Orthopaedic Clinic
Surrey Orthopaedic Clinic
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Surrey Orthopaedic Clinic
Prime Health Weybridge, Horizon Business Village No 10 & 11, 1 Brooklands Road, Weybridge KT13 0TJ, GuildfordExpert in:
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