When we’re in pain, we naturally turn to a healthcare professional. Did you know that pain is the main reason for consulting a health professional? Even more so if it forces us to change our behavior or lifestyle habits. Did you also know that pain is often only the tip of the iceberg? The underlying cause needs to be identified to properly address the situation.
DEFINING PAIN
Everyone experiences pain several times in their lives. But how exactly do we define it? According to the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), it is “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience related to actual or potential tissue damage”. In other words, pain is a warning signal to the body that its functioning and integrity have been altered or diminished. There are two main categories of physical pain: acute pain and chronic pain. When an event affects our morale, we tend to speak of psychological or sentimental pain.
ACUTE PAIN
Acute pain is brief, often lasting less than seven days. It occurs after an accident, infection or fatigue. This pain will diminish if the cause is treated. By correcting it quickly, you can prevent acute pain from turning into chronic pain.
CHRONIC PAIN
This is pain that has been evolving for 3 to 6 months. Persistent, it is resistant to the usual treatments. There are several possible causes:
Pain associated with a chronic illness whose cause cannot be completely ruled out: arthritis, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, cancer, etc.
Poorly relieved acute pain that persists beyond the normal healing period or lasts longer than 6 months. Examples include the after-effects of car or work accidents, or untreated or inadequately treated back pain.
Pain with an ill-defined cause: migraine, fibromyalgia, etc.
Phantom pain following amputation. In this case, the pain is caused by damage to the nerves of the nervous system.
Pain maintained by the nervous system with no apparent trigger, as in the case of complex regional pain syndrome.
LIVING WITH PAIN
Enduring pain for more than a few weeks often leads to physical deterioration which, in the long term, can become irreversible. According to the World Health Organization, chronic pain sufferers are four times more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety. Between 30% and 60% of them will experience a depressive episode in their lifetime. Injuries such as sprains, strains or direct trauma to the back, neck, shoulders, elbows or knees can worsen over time. When pain persists for several months, joint deterioration (osteoarthritis) sets in for many people. Chronic pain is costly for families, employers and government agencies (e.g. CSST or SAAQ). In many cases, neuro-musculo-skeletal injuries impose a more or less prolonged work stoppage and a reduction in daily activities. As well as affecting the injured person, this has the added effect of affecting their family and immediate circle. Whether acute or chronic, pain is never a symptom to be neglected, and it’s important to seek immediate medical attention. Your chiropractor is the first choice for diagnosing and treating the causes of your pain. Your chiropractor is the first choice for diagnosing and treating the causes of your pain, and can tailor a treatment program to suit your physical condition, age and health goals. Your physical and psychological well-being is paramount: don’t wait to feel pain!
DID YOU KNOW THAT:
36% of adults suffer from chronic pain?
Back pain costs Canadians $800 million a year?
Back pain affects 80% of people at some point in their lives?
That back pain is the #1 chronic cause of activity limitation in people under 45?
That chiropractic care has been proven safe and effective in treating back pain?
That even chronic pain can be relieved by chiropractic care?
