Injury and illness can cause chronic pain. Psychological problems can also lead to a perception of chronic pain. Pain is a symptom, which tells your brain that something is wrong with your body. You can seek medical attention for the root cause of your pain, but if the pain continues to bother you months later, you may have a chronic pain condition.
When chronic pain is caused by an injury the pain remains after the expected healing period is over. You may have surgery or physical therapy to rehabilitate an athletic injury or work-related injury, followed by a recovery period that generally lasts for a few months. If you still have pain after three months, consider seeing a pain specialist.
When chronic pain is caused by an illness, especially in older adults, the pain usually does not resolve on its own until the illness is gone. Other symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, changes in mood, and a lack of sleep tend to be associated with chronic pain. So, if the illness is gone and you still have these symptoms in addition to chronic pain, you should call a pain management doctor.
Chronic pain may also be caused by treatments for certain illnesses, such as cancer. We can help reduce and control the pain that results both during and following cancer treatments.
Psychological pain is often associated with depression, anxiety, stress, and other mental health problems. Your body senses a pain signal as a symptom of the bigger problem, but there is no actual evidence of an injury or illness, other than the mental illness.
Chronic pain associated with mental illness can also be resolved by treating the illness with medication and therapy, but for many patients, the pain remains long after treatment stops.
Seeking treatment for chronic pain no matter what the cause is bound to make you feel better. The first step is to have an honest conversation with your doctor. Knowing what pain treatments are available will help you take the next step, and that’s where we come in. Our pain management doctors can help you manage pain in a way that doesn’t disrupt your life.