• The various causes of chronic pain.
Over your lifetime, you probably have complained of feeling pain when you were sick or injured. Some pain tends to be more acute than others. Pain originates from the receptor nerve cells beneath our skin and body organs. When one is injured or sick, the receptor cells send messages along nerve pathways to the spinal cord, which then transits the message to the brain. Pain can be acute, which means it’s new. Subacute pain lasts for a few weeks or months, while chronic pain lasts for more than three months.
Many different factors can cause chronic pain. One major factor is aging, which affects bones and joints, resulting in chronic pain. It involves the ordinary aging of the spine, which results in degenerative changes. Other common causes of chronic pain are nerve damage and injuries that fail to heal correctly. Some of the injuries that may develop into chronic pain include traumatic injury and a congenital condition like curvature of the spine.
Lifestyle factors also contribute to chronic pain. Some of the lifestyle factors that result in chronic pain include years of poor posture, being overweight, which puts excess strain on the back and knees, continuously wearing high heels, and sleeping on poor mattresses. Experts explain that some kinds of chronic pain are a result of numerous causes. For instance, chronic back pain may result from a single factor or combination of factors.
• The physical and emotional effects of living with chronic pain.
Chronic pain tends to affect one’s everyday life. It impacts one’s physical and emotional well-being. It is common for people having chronic pain to feel fatigued, experience mood changes, sleep disturbance, reduced appetite and trouble concentrating. Such negative changes may make one lose weight, affecting physical appearance. As a result, one may feel frustrated, which quickly results in anxiety and depression. Some people going through chronic pain fall at the risk of substance abuse and other mental health disorders.
• Chiropractic care as a non-invasive, drug-free pain management option.
At chiropractic care, we take a drug-free approach to pain management and treatment of chronic conditions. The goal is to help every patient in their recovery by avoiding harsh side effects and complications of pain relievers and offering an option for any patient who wishes to prevent drug overuse or over-dependency on prescription medications.
• Stories of patients who have found relief from chronic pain through chiropractic treatments.
“Dr. Jones and all the staff are amazing. I started to see him beginning of my pregnancy and I have been pain free the entire time. Everyone is so personable and kind. I’m very happy to continue my care for years to come.” Melanie G.
“I have had upper neck and back pain resulting recurrent injuries. Time and again I was prescribed muscle relaxers. These, unfortunately, did nothing to heal my injuries in the long run, or prevent harm in the future. The pain always resurfaced and affected my lifestyle. After the first chiropractic appointment, I wished I hadn’t waited so long to see a chiropractor. Beyond just feeling better physically, I feel much more energized, which has dramatically improved my endurance and productivity. I am pain-and worry-free because chiropractic strengthened me physically and mentally.” Shirley M.
You may consult Dr. Jason Jones at our Chiropractic office in Elizabeth City, NC, to learn more about chronic pain and chiropractic treatment.
