Chronic Pain: 4 Things Patients Wish They Knew

Millions suffer from chronic pain daily. And because this condition is so widespread and individualized, it can lead to questions and plenty of confusion.

As a result, patients tend to take a few missteps along the way to finding an effective treatment.

• Lost time
• Lost money
• Continual suffering

So before you live with pain for a moment longer, consider these four things that many patients wish they knew, before they finally found an effective treatment.

1. Chronic pain isn’t just physical.

Pain certainly impacts the body, but it also interferes with all aspects of life. Many patients report feeling:

• Fatigued
• Anxious
• Depressed
• Not at their mental best

As such, getting treatment as soon as possible is essential to ensure all aspects of your wellbeing are remedied, and not just the pain itself.

2. Chronic pain doesn’t go away on its own.

Many patients initially think that they can just “wait it out,” and the chronic pain will eventually go away on its own. But unlike a cut or a bruise, chronic pain can linger for weeks, months, and years, and in many cases, the pain simply gets worse over time.

The only way to eliminate chronic pain is to seek help. So if you have been suffering from regular or even sporadic pain for 12 weeks or more, it’s time to seek out the assistance of an experienced interventional pain management specialist.

3. Pills and surgery aren’t always the best treatment.

Many general practitioners recommend pain relievers or prescription pills. Many eventually recommend surgery to fix the problem hopefully.

But pills and surgical procedures aren’t always the best or most effective treatment, and can even be dangerous and lead to additional health issues, such as addiction.

So before you look for a generalized cure, be sure and explore all of your options. You may not have to go through invasive surgery, or rely on prescription painkillers, to deal with your chronic pain.

4. A chronic pain specialist is your best resource for getting to the source of the problem.

Most patients first go to their general practitioner or family doctor when they first suffer from chronic pain. While a general doctor can certainly help with the initial diagnosis or with broad treatments, your best bet to find long-term relief is to schedule a visit with a specialistwho deals solely with pain.

Contact Us

Above all else, remember chronic pain is a condition you don’t have to deal with, and you don’t have to put your life on hold to find an effective treatment.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation, and we’ll work together to find the root cause of your pain and to identify an effective and safe treatment that works best for you.

Resources

• Image attribution
• Webmd.com
• Medlineplus.gov
• Emedicinehealth.com
• En.wikipedia.org

FDA Disclaimer. This information on this site is for education purposes only. These statements and testimonials are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The statements made regarding some or all products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Please consult a physician or other health care professional for your specific health care and medical needs or concerns.