Common Types Of Chronic Pain

The Most Common Types of Chronic Pain

Everyone experiences occasional aches and pains. Some types of pain are important nervous systems reactions that help to alert the body of a possible injury. Most pain will heal and become less severe as the injury heals. However, if a pain continues for more than 12 weeks, it may be chronic pain. Chronic pain may feel sharp or dull, steady or intermittent, and can affect many different parts of the body. There are many different types of chronic pain, but some of the most common types of chronic pain include: headaches, post surgical pain, lower back pain, arthritis pain, and neurogenic pain.

“More than 1.5 Billion people around the world have chronic pain. It is the most common cause of long-term disability in the United States,” according to Dr. Suneil (Neil) Jolly.

Headaches

Headaches are the most common type of chronic pain. There are many different types of headaches including migraine headaches, tension headaches and cluster headaches. Headaches can be the result of a head injury, stress, depression, alcohol and even poor posture. Headaches are also common with conditions like sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses), a throat infection, or an ear infection.

Postsurgical Pain

Postsurgical pain is pain that lasts more than 3 to 6 months after surgery. This type of pain may vary widely in severity and is linked to reduced quality of life, surgical complications, prolonged rehabilitation, and chronic pain. In many cases, over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen (Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol) and aspirin (Bayer) can alleviated post surgical pain. However, in some instances, the pain can be more severe and should be addressed with a pain management physician.

Lower Back Pain

Low back pain is one of the most common medical problems that causes loss of physical activity and quality of life. Lower back pain affects around 80% of adults, and it is one of the leading reasons people visit a doctor. The lower back is also called the lumbar region and starts below the rib cage. Pain in the lower back can heal over time without rest and relaxation, but in some circumstances it may require treatment. Chronic back pain and severe back pain should not be ignored and it is advised to seek a medical opinion about options to properly treat lower back pain problems.

Arthritis Pain

Arthritis is the swelling of the joints. It is caused by inflammation in the joints resulting in pain and stiffness that can worsen with age. Medications, physical therapy, and even surgery (depending on the severity) can help to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

Neurogenic Pain

Neurogenic pain is caused by nerve damage. It occurs when the nervous system does not work properly due to disease or direct damage to a nerve or nerves. Examples include post herpetic (or post-shingles) neuralgia, reflex sympathetic dystrophy/causalgia (nerve trauma), components of cancer pain, phantom limb pain, entrapment neuropathy (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome), and peripheral neuropathy (widespread nerve damage). Neurogenic pain can be treated with over-the-counter pain medication, prescription medication, nerve blocks or implantable devices, depending on the type of neurogenic pain.