Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Dr. Jaisingh Rajput, MD 

Chronic pain is a silent epidemic, affecting over 50 million Americans and significantly impacting quality of life. Unlike acute pain, which signals an injury or illness and resolves within a few weeks, chronic pain lasts longer than three months and often persists despite treatment. It can affect mobility, sleep, mood, and overall well-being.

If you or a loved one suffers from persistent pain, knowing when to seek medical help can prevent worsening symptoms and improve daily function.

What Is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is pain that persists for three months or longer, even after the original injury or illness has healed. It can occur in any part of the body and varies in severity.

Common Causes of Chronic Pain

• Musculoskeletal Disorders – Arthritis, osteoporosis, back pain, fibromyalgia;
• Nerve Damage (Neuropathic Pain) – Diabetes-related neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia, sciatica;
• Post-Surgical or Post-Trauma Pain – Pain that lingers after an injury or surgery;
• Autoimmune Diseases – Conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis;
• Migraines and Headaches – Frequent, disabling headaches that impact daily life; and
• Cancer Pain – Pain caused by tumors or cancer treatments.

When to Seek Medical Help

While occasional discomfort is common, you should consult a doctor if you experience:

• Pain lasting more than three months, especially if it’s worsening;
• Pain that disrupts daily activities, such as walking, sleeping or working;
• Unexplained weight loss, fever, or swelling along with pain;
• Pain accompanied by numbness, tingling, or weakness (could indicate nerve damage); and
• Severe headaches, chest pain or abdominal pain that persist.

Chronic Pain Management Guidelines

1. Accurate Diagnosis and Assessment – A physician will evaluate: Medical history and pain duration, physical examination and imaging (MRI, CT scan, X-rays) and nerve conduction studies (for neuropathic pain).
2. Non-Opioid Pain Management Strategies – The CDC and American College of Physicians (ACP) recommend non-opioid treatments as the first line of defense.

• Physical Therapy and Exercise: Improves flexibility, strength, and posture.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps manage pain perception and emotional distress.
• Acupuncture & Massage Therapy: Effective for musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain.
• Anti-Inflammatory Medications: NSAIDs like ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
• Topical Treatments: Lidocaine patches, capsaicin cream.
• Diet and Lifestyle Changes: Reducing inflammatory foods, staying active.

3. Interventional Pain Management – If conservative treatments fail, doctors may recommend steroid injections to reduce inflammation in joints, spine or nerves; nerve blocks for temporary pain relief by blocking nerve signals; radio frequency ablation, which uses heat to disable pain signals or spinal cord stimulation, using electrical impulses to reduce chronic back or nerve pain.
4. When Opioids Are Necessary – Opioids should be a last resort due to the risk of addiction. The CDC’s 2022 opioid guidelines recommend using the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration, regular monitoring for side effects and dependency risks and urge patients to avoid combining opioids with sedatives like benzodiazepines.
5. Alternative and Adjunctive Therapies Include:

• Mindfulness and Meditation: Reduces stress-related pain.
• Yoga and Tai Chi: Helps with flexibility and chronic back pain.
• Biofeedback Therapy: Teaches pain control techniques.

Preventing Chronic Pain from Worsening

• Stay active: Gentle exercise prevents stiffness and muscle weakness.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Reduces stress on joints and spine.
• Manage stress: Chronic stress worsens pain perception.
• Get enough sleep: Poor sleep increases pain sensitivity.

Chronic pain is not just a symptom — it’s a condition that requires medical attention. Ignoring persistent pain can lead to depression, disability, and reduced quality of life.

If pain is affecting your daily routine, consult a physician to develop a personalized treatment plan. Early intervention and the right management strategies can help you regain control and improve overall well-being.

Dr. Jaisingh Rajput is a physician specializing in hospital medicine and public health. He is committed to raising awareness about environmental health issues and their impact on respiratory diseases.