Facts and Tips about Chronic Pain
- There are two types of pain: nociceptive and neuropathic.
- In the United States, the estimated annual cost of chronic pain is $100 billion (1).
- Pain affects more Americans than diabetes, cancer, and heart disease combined (1). That's because it's associated with so many chronic conditions.
- Chronic pain doesn't always have an identifiable cause.
- Fibromyalgia, a common chronic pain condition, usually starts with physical trauma and then develops into a chronic pain.
- It's important to remain active and exercise, even if you have chronic pain.
- Chronic pain is pain that lasts more than 6 months. It may be constant, or it may come and go.
- Chronic pain is often treated with a multi-disciplinary approach that may include physical therapy, medications, psychology, and exercise.
- Mind-body therapies, such as meditation, can help control chronic pain.
Updated on: 12/10/09
