Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is persistent or recurrent pain that continues after the time of healing. It affects over 25% of the adult population. Generally, sufferers experience pain six out of seven days and over two-thirds have been living with pain for five years or more. Many describe their experience as being the worst pain one can imagine.

Chronic pain can be caused by conditions such as arthritis, injury, neurological or joint disorders and auto-immune disease. Some chronic pain is considered benign, meaning that there is no obvious physiological cause. Chronic pain is rarely accompanied by signs of arousal in the sympathetic nervous system (for example, an increased heart rate), which often leads medical providers to dismiss or minimize patient suffering. At this time, chronic pain is not well understood, although researchers theorize that it may be a general disorder of the central nervous system.

The experience of chronic pain can lead to major long and short-term physical and emotional problems for sufferers and their families. The patient may experience sleep disturbance, loss of appetite, mood swings, anxiety and depression. They may be forced to give up normal activities and make lifestyle changes. Chronic pain sufferers often feel pessimistic, powerless, useless and out of control. The families of those with chronic pain also experience feelings of sadness, helplessness and despair of ever getting back their "normal" family member again.

Pain management is two-fold. First, medication is necessary for the majority of chronic pain sufferers, the most common being over the counter and prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, although narcotic pain relievers may also be used. Second, some cognitive and complementary treatments have proven to be useful, such as physical, psychological and nutritional therapies, acupuncture, biofeedback, massage and chiropractic. Quality of life improves significantly for those whose pain is controlled.

'Chronic Pain' Sources:
  1. American Pain Society. "Resources: APS Glossary of Pain Terminology." Originally published in Guideline for the Management of Fibromyalgia Syndrome Pain in Adults and Children (2005), Guideline for the Management of Cancer Pain in Adults in Children ( 2005), and Guideline for the Management of Pain in Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Juvenile Chronic Arthritis (2002). http://www.ampainsoc.org//links/pain_glossary.htm
  2. Roper Starch Worldwide for American Academy of Pain Medicine, American Pain Society and Janssen Pharmaceutica, "Chronic Pain in America: Roadblocks to Relief." January 1999.
  3. National Cancer Institute, "Pain (PDQ): Patient Version." May 31, 2007. U.S. National Institutes of Health.
  4. Zautra, Alex J. "Emotions, Stress and Health", Oxford University Press, 2003, pp. 125-127.
  5. Pirtle, Jennifer. "When Chronic Pain Strikes." Natural Health, Nov. 2006, Vol. 36, Issue 10, p. 60-106.
  6. Eccleston, C., Bruce, E., Carter, B. "Chronic pain in children and adolescents." Paediatric Nursing, Dec. 2006, Vol. 18, Issue 10, pp. 30-34.

 

 

 

 

 
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