The concept of independence or freedom is subjective and can vary from person to person. However, most will agree that the ability to lead a healthy life on one’s own terms, free from restraints that hinder day-to-day life, is indeed freedom. Chronic pain, an unwelcome and relentless companion for many, can, however, compromise that free enterprise.
Chronic pain — the type of pain that lasts longer than three months — can impact life beyond physical discomfort or misery. From limiting professional goals to impacting emotional well-being and affecting personal relationships, chronic pain has far-reaching consequences. However, experts list some effective approaches to lessen, alleviate or treat the condition.
Understanding the cause and nature of chronic pain
Chronic pain symptoms include recurrent pain, which may be accompanied by fatigue, sleep disruption and mental distress. The key to deciding the treatment modality is thoroughly understanding its root cause and source, which can be collectively called the ‘pain generator’.
“The exact factor or event directly responsible for the pain is referred to as the cause of the pain. The source, on the other hand, refers to the area where the pain initially appeared,” says Dr Saipriya Tewari, consultant, pain management and palliative care, Manipal Hospitals, New Delhi.
“For example, in case of chronic back pain, the source of the pain could be the vertebrae, intervertebral disc, facet joint, muscle or nerve, which can be identified through proper examination of the person. Meanwhile, the cause of the pain could be inflammation, injury, fracture, nerve spasm or repetitive firing of neurons at the trigger point [source of the pain],” she adds.
Lifestyle changes to address chronic pain
Unhealthy lifestyle choices are always to blame for chronic conditions, including chronic pain. Some healthy habits that you can incorporate into your daily routine to prevent or reduce long-standing pain include:
♦ Proper posture: Muscle and ligament strain resulting from poor posture can contribute to chronic pain by placing prolonged stress on the tissues, disrupting their natural alignment and function.
“Poor posture is a common concern today, especially for those who work desk jobs and spend long hours in front of computers,” says Dr Tewari. “If you tend to slouch while sitting or bend your neck too much while using your laptop or phone, it can inevitably put undue strain on your spine, triggering chronic pain. Ensuring proper ergonomics and taking breaks are crucial to rid yourself of the condition.”
♦ Regular exercise: Dr Tewari suggests that regular exercise for 30 to 60 minutes a day will help build muscular strength and flexibility, which will relieve stress on the joints and lessen the tension that causes pain.
♦ Adequate sleep: “Although chronic pain and sleep are unrelated, good-quality sleep does indeed play a role in managing the condition,” says Dr Tewari.
“Sleep facilitates muscle recovery, making them less stiff and strained. This, in turn, can dictate how much pain you feel. Sometimes, chronic pain can be caused by inflammation, and the immune system can reduce it more effectively during sleep,” she explains.
♦ Healthy diet: According to a study published in the journal Nutrients, the two main pathophysiological pathways for chronic pain are inflammation and oxidative stress (an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and the body’s ability to counteract their harmful effects).
Diets and dietary components can alter these two pathways, reducing pain. Individuals should take personal responsibility for adhering to a healthy diet and consult qualified nutritionists to get long-lasting results.
Treating chronic pain
Chronic pain, like any other chronic condition, has diverse treatment modalities.
“We call it a multi-modality approach,” says Dr Amod Manocha, head of pain management services at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi. “We prescribe medicines to reduce pain and physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles. Prolonged pain can severely affect people, as it carries psychological baggage that needs to be addressed with the help of a psychologist.”
Even though chronic pain is a significant issue that needs immediate addressing, most tend to ignore it, which worsens the situation.
“Chronic pain is mostly brushed under the carpet as people become oblivious to it because of their daily responsibilities,” says Dr Tewari. “If you have been in pain for a long time, do not self-medicate by taking painkillers without knowing the side effects. It is always advisable to consult a medical professional, who will advise you on how to address your problem.”
If traditional approaches (like medication and physical therapy) do not provide relief, other avenues can be explored, which include:
♦ Graded motor imagery: By rewiring the brain’s response to pain, the innovative pain management technique of graded motor imagery builds on the idea of brain plasticity (the ability of the neurons to change their activity in response to external or internal stimuli).
♦ Dance and movement therapy: By addressing the physical and psychological aspects of chronic pain, dance and movement therapy uses the expressive power of movement to reduce suffering. It encourages catharsis (release of strong or repressed emotions) by allowing people to demonstrate or express their emotions through movement.
♦ Radiofrequency ablation: “This is one of the newer avenues in chronic pain management, which is different from the traditional procedures,” says Dr Manocha. With the aim of interrupting the pain signals being transmitted by the nerve, this technique delivers controlled and focused radiofrequency current (which produces heat) to burn a particular nerve or nerve pathway using a needle-like electrode.
Takeaways
- Chronic pain is defined as any sort of pain that lasts longer than three months.
- The treatment methods for the condition are multidisciplinary, with the fundamental cause of the pain determining the appropriate treatment strategy.
- Maintaining proper posture, exercising regularly, ensuring adequate sleep and having a balanced diet can help prevent or manage chronic pain.
