Difference Between Chronic and Acute Pain
Acute Pain vs Chronic Pain
Acute pain typically starts quickly and is caused by pain that goes away when the underlying cause is eliminated. An example is pain from surgery on one’s body or dental pain.
Chronic pain is ongoing, lasting longer than 6 months, and continues even after an injury has healed, or an illness that has been treated. In this situation the pain signals remain active in the nervous system for weeks or even years! In addition, some suffer from chronic pain even in the absence of an injury or medical cause.
About 1 in 5 Americans suffer from this chronic pain, with only 1 in 4 finding long-lasting relief from pain killers. Some patients seek relief with alternative treatments like Reiki and homeopathy. Others seek relief from creams, herbs, bracelets, and support devices.
What the latest science tells us
The latest science tells us that there are many powerful tools available to control and eliminate chronic pain. But, unfortunately, relief often only comes from breaking the pain cycle, a complex interplay between physical and psychological triggers.
The understanding of many conditions such as chronic pain is sometimes misunderstood! In the USA, medical professionals are taught to think in terms of yes or no. Either you have a condition, or you don’t, so that those in the middle have few options for relief.
When chronic pain is ongoing for longer than 6 months and continues after an injury has healed or an illness has been treated, the pain signals may remain active in the nervous system, and may continue for weeks or years! Therefore, addressing pain promptly is the best approach.
“Headaches and back pain” are examples of chronic pain that may have a medical cause or may not.
The stress of suffering from chronic pain affects the body resulting in tense muscles thus often reducing mobility and energy. There are also emotional effects from chronic pain, such as anger, anxiety, and depression. In addition, the fear of re-injury often causes one to be tense, adding to the pain cycle.
Also, stress often makes your pain worse. Mindset is another essential aspect of the pain cycle. If you see yourself as a person in pain all the time, your discomfort will limit your mobility and will never be eliminated.
What can you do?
“The first step is to seek medical advice.” When trying to reduce chronic pain, experiment with solutions. Notice what you were doing just before the pain started. Often there is a pattern of behavior that contributes to the pain.
The path to a healthier, pain-free life includes physical therapy, exercise, meditation, massage, and acupuncture. Yoga is an excellent tool because it works with the mind and body, reducing stress and resetting the mind. In addition, the physical aspect of yoga gets you moving, strengthening your muscles, increasing flexibility, and rebalances the physical body.
Often, the cause of chronic pain, especially back pain, comes from an imbalance in the body. For example, sitting for long periods causes the front of the body to shorten and get tighter. In response, the back of the body gets longer! The result is an imbalance that leads to pain.
This concept can apply to the sides of the body as well. For example, before I had my second knee replacement, my leg was not straight. Therefore, I leaned to the left, which caused a muscle imbalance between the right and left sides of my body. My post-op physical therapy included working to rebalance the muscle tightness on the left side, so that I would not lean to the left or develop back pain. I continue to rebalance my body daily with my yoga practice sessions. A yoga practice is accessible and beneficial for everyone, no prior experience is required.
Bottom Line: Pain leads to inactivity, causing your muscles to lose flexibility, and your bones to become weaker! It is essential that you address chronic pain early for YOU to enjoy an active, healthy life.
If you would like help to reduce your pain or would like to know more information about my services, send me a message or call (973) 476-8661.
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