What is Pain?
Pain comes in all shapes and forms. From a simple paper cut to a pulled muscle that causes continuous discomfort. But what is pain? What causes it?
A simple definition of pain is – the physical suffering or discomfort caused by an event, such as an illness or injury. But pain is anything but simple; it is a complex interaction in your body that involves your nerves, spinal cord and brain. No two people experience pain the same way, even if they are experiencing the same injury. Pain is influenced by our perceptions and our past experiences.
What is the difference between acute pain and chronic pain?
While pain comes in many forms there are two common categories for it, acute pain and chronic pain.
Acute pain is temporary, it is how your body alerts you to an injury and is telling you to take care of yourself. Acute pain is your body’s normal response to trauma or surgery.
Chronic pain is pain that persists for an abnormal amount of time, far beyond the expected healing time frame. Your body is constantly sending you pain signals that continue for months and sometimes years. Generally, chronic pain is defined as pain lasting for more than 12 weeks.
Pinpointing the cause of chronic pain can be difficult, it could stem from an injury or an illness and in some cases, there may be no clear indicator as to what is causing the pain.
Am I the only one in pain?
If you are suffering from pain it’s easy to find yourself in a negative mindset. You may feel alone and think no one understands, but the truth is you’re not alone. According to a study conducted by the National Institute of Health, one hundred million Americans suffer from chronic pain and one in ten of those Americans have experienced pain every day for three months or more. While knowing you’re not alone may be helpful, it doesn’t put an end to your pain. Your first step to pain relief should be to seek professional medical advice.
How do I treat my pain?
If pain is affecting your daily life you should speak with a physician. Find a physician that wants to diagnose, evaluate, treat and manage the pain. There are a variety of procedures that can be used and taking the appropriate steps to pinpoint the pain will result in getting you on track to a pain free lifestyle.
If you are experiencing back, neck, joint, muscle or nerve pain Susquehanna Valley Pain Management is here to help. We offer personalized care to provide you with the best relief possible.
Make an appointment today!