| | Jackson Neurosurgery Clinic

Chronic Pain – What Causes it and How You can Treat it

Everyone has felt the physical sensation of pain at one time or another. After all, it is your body’s natural way of telling you that something is wrong. Typically, once you heal from an illness or injury, the pain associated with your condition goes away. However, there are some cases where the pain is different. If your body continue to hurt weeks, days or even years after the initial injury, this is known as chronic pain. This condition can have a profound impact on your mental health and ability to carry out day-to-day activities. Fortunately, with the help of medical professionals, you can work together to treat and overcome chronic pain.

The Causes of Chronic Pain

There are many conditions that can lead to chronic pain but sometimes it can begin without any obvious cause. However, for most people, chronic pain is the result of an injury or underlying health condition. Some of the leading causes for chronic pain include:

Fibromyalgia, a pain that is felt in the bones and muscles
Past injuries like a sprain or pulled muscle
Back problems
Nerve damage
Infections
Headaches or migraines
Post-surgical complications

The Symptoms of Chronic Pain

Symptoms of chronic pain can range from mild to severe. It can come and go over a long period of time or continue day after day. The condition can affect your physical health, mental health and even take over your social life. Other symptoms of chronic pain may include:

Mild to severe pain that is persistent
Burning, throbbing, shooting, squeezing or stinging pain
Soreness or stiffness
Lack of energy
Lack of appetite
Difficulty sleeping
Mood changes

Treatment Options for Chronic Pain

The main goal of chronic pain treatment is to reduce symptoms and boost mobility. This strategy can help you return to your normal routine without experiencing excessive discomfort. Since the cause and severity of chronic pain can vary amongst individuals, pain management programs are usually tailored to meet the specific needs of each patient. Some treatment options for chronic pain may include:

Exercise and getting enough sleep can help reduce symptoms of mild chronic pain
Relaxation techniques such as meditation or deep breathing
Using over-the-counter pain medications in addition to complimentary therapies like massages
Physical therapy including ice and heat therapies, stretching or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
Spinal cord stimulation
Surgery to treat the specific condition that is causing pain

Some pain can be normal, especially when it immediately follows an illness, injury or major surgery. However, if the pain escalates, doesn’t stop, or interferes with your day-to-day activities, you need should not suffer any longer. Contact Dr. Lewis at Jackson Neurosurgery Clinic. With over 25 years of experience and training, he has helped hundreds of patients find relief from various neurological disorders with great success. He has also taught many surgeons across the country and pioneered the development of specialized equipment for various procedures.

Contact us today to learn more and seek relief from chronic pain. We’ll find a solution that works for you. Call us at (601) 366-1011.