Fibromyalgia

Common Chronic Pain Conditions

Bodily pain that interferes with your ability to perform tasks, keeps you up at night, and saps you of energy is considered chronic pain. This condition plagues more than 50 million Americans – one in five adults – and it has many different reasons why it can occur.

If you have chronic pain, it is in your best interest to have an evaluation by a skilled family medicine provider who can diagnose the underlying cause. The family medicine provider will then work with you to determine appropriate measures of treatment.

Let’s talk about some of the most common reasons behind chronic pain, and where you can go in Wellington for a thorough medical evaluation and treatment that works to reduce or eliminate your pain once and for all.

What Is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is constant or intermittent physical discomfort which lasts longer than three months without improvement. Chronic pain is a frequent cause of missed workdays, lost wages, and lost productivity.

It differs in severity and character from person to person, and it can even change on a daily basis. Patients often describe their pain as shooting, stabbing, burning, or throbbing.

Chronic pain conditions include the following:

  • Fibromyalgia
  • Migraine headaches
  • Arthritis
  • Cancer pain (from the disease itself or from its treatment)
  • Back pain
  • Neuropathy
  • Pain due to kidney disease
  • Postoperative pain that continues unabated

Along with the pain itself, you may experience comorbidities (simultaneous health problems) such as:

  • Insomnia
  • Fatigue
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Poor appetite
  • Depression and anxiety

How Can My Family Medicine Provider Help?

In order to determine what is causing your chronic pain, your family medicine provider will first ask you to describe your pain. Give as much detail as you can regarding its severity, timing (how often it occurs), location(s) on your body, and what, if anything, helps to mitigate it.

The family medicine provider will then perform a complete physical examination, order bloodwork and other lab tests as needed, and possibly do X-rays and other kinds of imaging scans. With a proper diagnosis, your family medicine provider can create a care plan to help keep your chronic pain under control.

Your treatment plan may include:

  • Over-the-counter or prescription pain reliever
  • Antidepressant medication
  • Cortisone shots (in-office injection therapy)
  • Physical therapy
  • Heat and cold therapy
  • Chiropractic care (spinal adjustments)
  • Stress management
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Biofeedback
  • Acupuncture 

Trusted Family Medicine Provider in Royal Palm Beach and Wellington

Here at Advanced Medical Clinic, we will work diligently with you to get you the pain relief you deserve. You may have to try several things before finding a solution that works to quell your chronic pain, but we will indeed find something that works for you. There are many effective treatments out there today.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (561) 434-1935 or by filling out our easy-to-use online request form now. We look forward to helping you enjoy life without pain!

Types of Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a common ailment that millions of people suffer from every day. Chronic pain refers to pain symptoms that last longer than a few weeks or pain that comes and goes repeatedly.

There are many causes of chronic, including a variety of health conditions, diseases, and injuries that leave permanent damage to the body. Before you get the right treatment, it’s important to determine the type or root cause of your chronic pain.

The most common types chronic pain are:

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread pain linked to the musculoskeletal system. The chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia is caused by repeated nerve stimulation to the brain, which increase specific chemicals that signal pain. These neurotransmitters cause the brain’s receptors to build a type of pain-sensitivity that creates a memory of the pain to which the brain overresponds.

In addition to diffused pain, people affected by the condition may experience mood swings and fatigue that is exacerbated by difficulty with sleep. Memory may also be affected as cognitive issues can cloud thinking and the ability to focus.

Women develop fibromyalgia more often than men. There is no cure for the condition, and it can often cause tension headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, and problems with the temporomandibular joint. Since fibromyalgia has no cure, family medicine providers aim to help patients manage the condition’s symptoms, so there is minimal effect on quality of life.

Nerve Damage

Nerve damage is another common cause of chronic pain, and peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common types.  A network of nerves connects the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. When peripheral nerves are affected by injury or disease, peripheral neuropathy can develop. The condition impairs muscle movement and causes pain and numbness in the limbs. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms.

Endometriosis

A common cause of chronic pain in the abdomen is endometriosis, a painful condition that causes excessive bleeding and cramps during a woman’s menstrual period. Endometriosis can also cause discomfort with urination and bowel movements. It is often managed with medications to control symptoms.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that refers to joint cartilage that has been deteriorated, damaged, or torn beyond repair. The cartilage can degenerate due to wear and tear, overuse, or an injury. Stiffness and chronic pain are common symptoms of this condition.  Osteoarthritis is a progressive condition, which means symptoms tend to get worse with time. Osteoarthritis is often managed with pain medication, physical therapy, regenerative medicine techniques, and more. If these techniques do not help with pain symptoms, you may need joint surgery for long-term relief.

Back Pain

Back pain stemming from spinal stenosis, bulging discs, fractures, or compression of nerves in the spine can all be chronic in nature. Other conditions that are considered structural deformities, such as scoliosis, may also cause chronic pain. Back pain is often treated with physical therapy, medications to control symptoms, and in some cases, surgery.

Chronic Pain Treatment in Florida

If you are experiencing chronic pain, you don’t have to cope with it alone. Contact the experts at Advanced Medical Clinic today to get a diagnosis and treatment plan in place. To make an appointment, call (561) 434-1935. You can also request an appointment online.