Chronic pain is confusing to a lot of people and somewhat difficult to define. In this article, we are going to discuss chronic pain – talk about how it differs from other types of pain, and offer up some options for treatment.
Chronic Pain vs. Acute Pain
Pain can be separated into two general categories – chronic and acute. Acute pain is short-lived. It goes away after a relatively short period of time – with or without treatment. When you accidentally stub your toe on the couch, the pain will likely subside over the course of a few days with rest. That is acute pain.
Chronic pain is recurring and can impact a patient for months, years, or even their entire lifetime. Here are some conditions that are often associated with chronic pain:
- Fibromyalgia
- CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)
- Osteoarthritis
- Shingles
- Nerve Damage
- Multiple Sclerosis
Treating Chronic Pain
Pain is subjective in nature, meaning each patient experiences pain in their own way. That means treatment should be tailored to each individual patient, according to their unique situation. Depending on your pain, you might benefit from prescription medications, pain relief injections, or physical therapy. The best course of action is to meet with a pain management doctor who specializes in treating chronic pain to determine the best course of treatment.
Contact a St. Paul Pain Management Doctor
At Revive MD, we provide compassionate and individualized care to every patient we treat. Dr. Morales has been providing pain management care to patients throughout the Twin Cities for nearly 20 years. We provide a wide range of pain treatments – from trigger point injections, to prescription medications. If you are struggling through life in pain, don’t give up! Reach out to a qualified pain management doctor to discuss your options for treatment. Contact us today at our St. Paul pain management clinic to set up your appointment with Dr. Morales!