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Did you know that more than 86 million Americans suffer pain? Or that about
80% of Americans will suffer at least one episode of back pain in their lifetimes?
Back pain is a common complaint and a leading reason people seek medical care.
There are many causes of acute or chronic back pain such as back strain, spinal
stenosis, and osteoarthritis. But how is back pain treated? What happens if
pain doesn't go away? To help answer those questions and others, this article
provides information about many aspects of pain management including:
- Different types of pain
- The role of the pain management specialist
- Diagnosis; determining the cause of pain
- Pain relieving treatments
- Pain control improves lives
Different Types of Pain
Most often, pain is classified as being either acute or chronic. Broader definitions
and examples follow.
Acute pain may begin suddenly and is often described as feeling
sharp. It is likened to the body's warning system signaling something is wrong.
Most times, acute pain is quickly resolved, although by definition it may last
3 to 6 months. Patterns of recovery from acute pain are usually predictable
and aid in developing a treatment plan. Pain specialists realize it is important
to control acute pain to prevent it from becoming chronic. Causes of acute pain
include:
- Broken bones (spinal vertebral fracture)
- Burns or cuts
- Certain diseases
- Dental work
- Labor and childbirth
- Soft tissue injury, such as whiplash
- Surgical pain (post-operative pain)
Chronic pain is defined as lasting longer than 6 months, is
persistent and may be severe. Chronic pain is more difficult to treat. A multidisciplinary
approach, involving several specialists who offer treatment separately or simultaneously,
has become a standard of care. Such specialists include physiatrists and anesthesiologists.
Chronic pain affects people physically and emotionally. Physical symptoms include
muscle tension, loss of mobility, lack of energy and appetite. The emotional
affects can be similarly devastating and include depression, anger and anxiety.
Causes of chronic pain can include:
- Arthritis (osteoarthritis)
- Cancer
- Degenerative disc disease and other spinal disorders
- Nerve dysfunction (with or without nerve damage)
- Soft tissue injury, such as trauma from a fall or motor vehicle accident
- Unresolved disease or injury (psychogenic pain)
There are many kinds of pain that can be described as acute or chronic. Some
include:
Myofascial pain is caused by painful trigger points that develop
in a muscle or a group of muscles. A trigger point is a locally sensitive and
tender area in a muscle or where a muscle and fascia (band-like tissue encasing
muscle) meet. Myofascial pain may cause 'referred pain' because when a trigger
point is pressed the pain may be felt elsewhere. This pain may be chronic and
described as nagging, burning, aching or stabbing.
Psychogenic pain presents as real physical pain caused by
a psychological problem. This means the pain is caused by the patient's mental
or emotional issues.
Radicular pain, or radiculitis, is caused by inflammation
of a spinal nerve root. Other associated terms are 'cervical radiculitis' or
'lumbar radiculitis' meaning the pain originates from a cervical (neck) or lumbar
(low back) spinal nerve. Sciatica is a commonly used term to describe pain that
descends into the leg. Different disorders can cause spinal nerve compression,
inflammation and pain. A spinal tumor or cyst, disc herniation, spinal stenosis
and osteoarthritis can cause radiculitis.
Somatic pain is caused by bodily injury or other event affecting
the pain receptors in the skin, ligaments, muscles, bones, or joints. This pain
may be chronic and is sometimes associated with cancer.
Visceral pain is caused by internal organs that are damaged
or injured.
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