Chronic pain occurs when the brain concludes there is a threat to a person’s well-being based on the many signals it receives from the body. This condition can and often does occur independently of any actual body tissue damage (due to injury or illness), and beyond normal tissue healing time.
Millions of Americans have chronic pain each year. Chronic pain costs the United States billions annually for medical treatment, lost work time and lost wages.
The causes of chronic pain vary widely. While any condition can lead to chronic pain, there are certain medical conditions more likely to cause chronic pain including:
- Trauma/Injury
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Fibromyalgia
- Limb amputation
- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
Some diseases, such as cancer and arthritis, cause ongoing pain. With chronic pain, however, pain is created in the nervous system even after physical tissues have healed.
Chronic pain affects each person differently. In some cases, chronic pain can lead to decreased activity levels, job loss, or financial difficulties, as well as anxiety, depression and disability.
The physical therapists at Everest Rehabilitation Services work together with chronic pain patients to lessen their pain and restore their activity to their highest possible levels. Treatment can reduce the adverse effects of chronic pain.
