In the United States, an estimated 50 million people live with chronic pain. From arthritis to chronic headaches, these conditions are common, but that doesn’t mean that you have to put up with the pain.
Dr. Amarjit Virdi, an anesthesiology and pain management specialist, has spent more than a decade treating chronic pain at Winona Health. While he says the treatments for chronic pain have evolved over the years, the significant impact pain can have on his patients has remained the same.
“People unfortunately start defining themselves by the chronic pain they have,” Dr. Virdi says.
If you suffer from chronic pain, there is hope. There are many treatment options available that can help you manage your pain and in turn, improve the quality of your everyday life.
Knowing your risk
Chronic pain is pain that persists for longer than three to six months, and often results from an illness or injury. However, there are other factors that can leave you at a higher risk of developing chronic pain. Obesity, genetic disposition, smoking and having a labor-intensive job, for example, can make you more susceptible. And while chronic pain can be felt by people of all ages, it is prevalent among older adults.
Chronic pain can also lead to a higher risk of comorbidities, like high blood pressure, mood disorders and cardiovascular disease.
“When it comes to chronic pain, it can affect everybody, but in some populations, it’s present more than others — sometimes for known reasons, sometimes for unknown reasons,” says Dr. Ifechi Anyadioha, a specialist at the Mankato Clinic Pain Management Center. “As we get older, we develop degenerative conditions like arthritis, and that can cause pain.”
Seeking help
If you are experiencing pain that won’t go away, it is important to see your primary care provider or a pain management specialist right away. Treatment can be time sensitive, and may lose effectiveness if you delay seeking care.
When a patient says they are suffering from chronic pain, Dr. Anyadioha completes a thorough physical examination. He looks at factors like health history, when the pain began, if the pain is radiating to other parts of the body, and how pain is impacting their daily life.
In order to pinpoint where the pain is coming from and how to best treat it, Dr. Anyadioha often will order an MRI, CT scan or X-ray. From there, he develops a treatment plan for pain that is specialized to the patient’s needs.
Get Moving
Exercises that are low-impact for chronic pain include yoga, water aero-bics, biking and light weight lifting.
SOURCE: TWIN CITIES PAIN CLINIC
Treatment
Over-the-counter pain relievers and physical therapy are often the first line of defense against chronic pain. Dr. Virdi says that the types of medication typically used for chronic pain management have changed since he began practicing.
At the start of his career, opioids were commonly prescribed by healthcare professionals to treat pain. However, due to the growing prevalence of opioid abuse and the risk of negative long-term effects, professionals now typically prescribe opioid alternatives like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or membrane stabilizers like lidocaine.
Other treatment options your doctor may prescribe include:
• Minimally invasive procedures like steroid injections that reduce inflammation in your joints or spine.
• Implantable therapies like a spinal cord stimulator or a pain pump.
• Physical, occupational or rehabilitative therapies.
• Lifestyle changes like improving your diet or increasing your exercise regimen.
• Acupuncture and massage therapy. Acupuncture is available as a supplemental benefit for routine pain management. You can learn more in your Evidence of Coverage at bluecrossmn.com/medicare-documents.
Treatments may not completely eliminate pain, but they can make your pain more manageable in your daily life and prevent it from becoming worse as time passes.
Changing your lifestyle
Managing your chronic pain may mean changing aspects of your lifestyle. For example, following a good diet can help curb chronic pain, and Dr. Virdi says that a low- fat, plant-based diet has been shown to reduce symptoms of chronic pain. Exercise also plays an important role in pain management, and regular muscle and core strengthening exercises can help improve your ability to function.
“We encourage patients to exercise — even patients who are in chronic pain. You want to get up and move around, and that tends to reduce chronic pain,” Dr. Anyadioha says.
Because falls can lead to serious injuries, finding ways to prevent them is key. It is so critical that Dr. Virdi often dedicates time with patients to find strategies for them to eliminate their risk.
“Fall prevention is very, very important,” Dr. Virdi says. “Every fall not only precipitates pain, but it also causes a step down in your health because it can lead to fractures.”
If you suffer from chronic pain, it’s important to remember that you are not alone. Connecting with a doctor and seeking help can ultimately help lead you to a better quality of life.
“Pain leads to low mood, low morale, poor productivity and as a result, it can lead to illnesses like chronic depression.” Dr. Virdi says. “If pain is taken away, life becomes more worth living.”
Did you know?
Reducing stress and getting quality sleep are also ways to reduce chronic pain.
SOURCE: CLEVELAND CLINIC