Introduction

Pain is a universal feeling that we all deal with at one point of time or another when we deal with life. It could be acute or chronic, depending on how often you get it. Some common examples of bothersome pain include migraines, stomach aches, menstrual cramps, or even daily body aches we associate with ageing or wear and tear of joints and bones. Most of us are fortunate enough to deal with pain for just a few days or weeks and then we get better. But, when pain lasts for longer than 3 months, it is classified as chronic pain, which leads to the need for expensive palliative care, physical therapy, and can even affect general productivity. Let us look at some well-known and burdensome examples like arthritis, neuropathy, and chronic migraines in greater detail.

Chronic Pain Is A Continual Bane On Our Existence

The thing about chronic pain is that it comes and goes or may be there all the time. This means you cannot participate in daily activities or stick to your favourite routine, without this constant nagging in the background. Chronic pain disorders can cause what is called the ‘terrible triad’ – physical pain leading to mental depression and high levels of irritability. This is like the beginning of a terrible movie with a bad ending – it just gets worse, and you don’t have the strength or wherewithal to understand how to feel better. Some people will do anything to be pain-free – from unnecessary surgeries to high drug dependency or going on a quest to ‘get normal.’

Arthritis is one such example, but there are many others, including pain from cancer, scar tissue-associated pain, fibromyalgia, neurological disorders, or idiopathic pain, meaning the cause remains unknown. You could describe your pain with various terms such as shooting, burning, sharp, sting-like, or throbbing, and rate its intensity on a scale of 0-10. This can affect sleep quality, your ability to finish chores or work, and lead to severe mood swings.

Diagnosing the cause of chronic pain involves multiple methods such as blood work, imaging, nerve conduction studies, urine tests, reflex or balance tests, and spinal taps. Medications depend on the type, severity, and frequency of the pain. While there are many treatment options, excessive reliance on drugs can cause drug insensitivity and even lead to liver and kidney failure. Additionally, some pain medications may alter your mood.

Current Treatment Approaches

The good news is that there are now many different kinds of therapies available. Here are some:

• Counselling: Talking to a therapist about your worries can significantly reduce overthinking and pain, particularly with psychogenic pain.
• Physical Therapy: Especially useful for arthritis and related disorders, it can reduce pain and improve the range of joint function.
• Occupational Therapy: After a traumatic injury, this therapy helps you return to daily life by making sensible changes to your routine and managing expectations.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): A therapist will guide you to develop coping mechanisms and retrain how your brain processes pain using neural reprogramming exercises.
• Acupuncture or Acupressure
• Reiki
• Hypnosis or Hypnotherapy
• Guided Meditation
• Aromatherapy
• Music or Art Therapy

Conclusion

Chronic pain must be managed as there is no definite cure at present. Many factors contribute to chronic pain – genetic predisposition, age, physically demanding jobs, stress, or even smoking. Making long-lasting changes to your lifestyle is essential to reduce the intensity of the pain, as physical pain can worsen if you are also experiencing depression.

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