What is chronic pain?
Watch this video
In this video, Dr. Furlan explains the difference between acute and chronic pain.
2. Where is the pain?
3. Treatments of Chronic Pain
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Brain Retrain
It is possible to retrain the brain to feel less pain. Check the latest developments in this area.
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Exercises
There are various types of exercises for chronic pain: stretching, strengthening, aerobics (cardio), relaxation, and balance.
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Medications
Medications used to treat chronic pain are usually different from those used to treat acute pain. Check here to learn more about opioids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, cannabinoids, and many more.
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Nutrition
We are what we eat. There are many nutritional deficiencies that may lead to chronic pain. It is important to eat well.
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Modalities
Electrotherapy, heat, cold, acupuncture, cupping, taping and bracing are all different modalities that can be used to reduce pain.
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Meditation
Meditation, mindfulness, relaxation are strategies that are very helpful to improve overall pain and feel better.
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Manual therapy
Hands-on therapy like massage, manipulation and mobilization have excellent healing properties.
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Interventional Pain Modalities
Injections, nerve blocks, needles, acupuncture are all strategies that can be used to reduce painful sensations
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Surgery
There are various types of surgery for pain, such as joint replacements, nerve decompression or spinal cord pumps/stimulators.
4. Conditions Associated with Chronic Pain
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Hypothyroidism
Thyroid hormones are important to regulate many body functions. Hypothyroidism may cause symptoms of fatigue, weight gain, poor concentration, and generalized pain.
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Depression
Depression is different from sadness. Depression is a disease and there are various forms of treatments. Some strategies used to improve depression include diet, sleep and exercises.
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Hypermobility / EDS
Ehlers Danlos Syndroms is a genetic condition that affects the collagen of our body. One of the signs is joint hypermobility. People with EDS may have chronic pain.
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Smoking
Many smokers don’t know that nicotine is a painkiller. That is why it is hard to quit smoking when you have chronic pain. In this video you will learn evidence-based strategies to help you quit smoking.
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Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic pain is defined as pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system (IASP 2018)
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Sleep Disturbances
Sleep problems are very common among people with chronic pain. It is essential to fix sleep quality and improve sleep efficiency to have a better quality of life with chronic pain.
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Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is lack of Calcium in the bones. It does not hurt, it is a silent disease. however, it predisposes a person to have fractures and that may lead to chronic pain.
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Central Sensitization
Central sensitization happens in some patients with chronic pain. It is defined as nociplastic pain.
5. Pain in various populations and age groups
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Pregnant women
Pregnancy is a time where many women start having pain. There are many strategies to overcome these problems during pregnancy.
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Newborns and babies
Babies are subjected to vaccinations and there are many evidence-based strategies available to reduce pain and anxiety during vaccines.
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Children and Teenagers
Children and teenagers are also affected by chronic pain. One condition that affects kids is complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
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Older adults and Seniors
Pain is not part of normal ageing. There are various myths about older people and pain.
6. Talking about pain with doctors and family
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How to explain pain
How to explain your pain to your doctor? What is important to say and how can you document everything so you don’t forget what is important?
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How to talk to your doctor about opioids
Many patients are afraid of asking if opioids are useful for their pain. And many patients are reluctant to ask their doctors to stop prescribing their opioids.
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How to set SMART goals
Without goals you will not know what is working for you or not, and if you achieved the or not. Patients with chronic pain need daily goals and life-long goals.
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Electromyography and NCS
EMG and Nerve Conduction Study are tests that can be performed to identify lesions or diseases of the peripheral nerve system.