Chronic pain includes any type of pain in any area of the body that is expected to last for a long period of time. In many cases, chronic pain is an ongoing situation that someone needs to deal with for the unforeseeable future. Chronic pain is not the pain that stems from an injury that is in the process of healing and will go away once the injury is healed. Learn more about this type of pain, as well as some ways a pain management provider can help you when you read the information below: 

Chronic pain is ongoing, but not necessarily there at all times

You can be considered to have chronic pain if you have pain that comes and goes for a period of several months or even years. You don't have to be in pain every moment of the day in order to be suffering chronically. However, your pain will be something that interferes with your quality of life much of the time. 

Chronic pain has many causes 

Some people have chronic pain due to the lasting effects of an old injury. The injury may have not healed correctly, surgery may have failed, or the pain may be caused by leftover nerve damage or something else. Someone may have chronic pain from a condition they suffer from. A few examples of these types of conditions can include issues like fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, or multiple sclerosis. 

Chronic pain can affect your life in many ways

As if it isn't enough to be in pain much of the time, there are other things that can happen due to a chronic pain condition. For example, you can end up suffering from insomnia, anxiety, or depression that stems from your chronic pain problem. 

Chronic pain is best treated by a pain management provider

It's best for you to seek treatment for your chronic pain from a local medical provider. They generally have a lot of different types of treatments available, so they can put together the best treatment plan for you that can really help you to have your pain controlled to a manageable and hopefully minimal amount. Some examples of different forms of treatments they may have available can include shots, medications, physical therapy, acupuncture, ultrasound, and more. Your provider will work with you closely and monitor your pain and your progress as you find the course of treatment that gives you the best results possible.

For more information, contact a local medical provider, like IPM Medical.