Pain is very difficult to quantify despite the fact that medical practitioners ask individuals to rate their pain on a scale of one (1) to ten (10). Each person experiences pain in a different way and will have different pain tolerance levels.

The one thing that unites pain sufferers is the inability to lead a life free from complications. Pain can heavily impact daily life including something that pain sufferers used to think were easy.

Learning to understand pain is essential to reclaiming your life. Helping others understand the pain you feel is equally important.

What is a Chronic Pain Condition?

Chronic pain is considered to be pain that persists past a six-month time period. Acute pain, which is experienced through an injury, can become chronic pain due to a buildup of scar tissue. Other chronic pain results from unknown causes and is unexplained by medical testing.

The chronic pain conditions span neurological, muscular and skeletal difficulties. The addition of inflammation provides another layer to chronic pain. Chronic pain conditions include, but are not limited to:

·         Arthritis

·         Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

·         Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

·         Fibromyalgia

·         Lupus

·         Migraine

·         Myofascial Pain

·         Osteoarthritis

·         Shingles

·         Sciatica/back pain

·         Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ)

Those who suffer chronic pain are often heavily impacted by the limitations caused by pain. Friends and family members often do not understand why the pain sufferers are unable to attend social events, handle daily activities, and in short be the person they once were.

Medical Assistance

The issue becomes more complicated by a general lack of understanding of medical professionals in understanding the origin and symptoms of pain conditions. Frequently chronic pain sufferers are put through a barrage of medical tests and procedures to determine the reason or cause for pain. Sadly the results of these tests often show no cause for pain and as a result the patient is labeled with psychiatric problems or as a drug seeker.

All hope is not lost, however, as medical doctors are beginning to look for alternative ways to control pain, such as physiotherapy, massage and acupressure. Specialists are beginning to delve further into understanding the pain mechanisms in the body. Studies are beginning to notice changes in neurotransmitter levels and have become more skilled with pain mapping.

Chronic pain centres are being established in many major municipal areas. To find the nearest pain centre consult your local telephone directory or visit the website of the condition you suffer from (e.g. the Arthritis Society).