Research Review - Chronic Pain Explained

Define chronic pain

· Pain is personal and subjective experience

· There is no test that can measure and locate pain with absolute precision

· Patient’s own description of the type, timing, location, description form what is called a “Pain History”

· Working together to identify the causes and symptoms of that pain and how it can be relieved

· Individualized treatments for each person, input from healthcare team members, and an active role in the treatment of chronic pain

· Any pain lasting more than 12 weeks, and persists—often for months or even longer.

· Can occur from an initial injury, such as a sprain, strain, tear etc

· Other health problems, such as fatigue, sleep disturbance, decreased appetite, and mood changes, often accompany chronic pain

Diagnostics

What is a chronic pain program?

What is the role of a chiropractor in a chronic pain program?

· In self-management programs, the individual patient becomes an active participant in his or her pain treatment

· Engagement in problem-solving, pacing, decision-making, and taking actions to manage their pain

· Improving communication with the healthcare provider is part of that empowerment of the patient

· Reduced many barriers to effective pain management, regardless of the underlying conditions

· Individuals who participate in these programs have significantly increased their ability to cope with pain

· Improve their ability to be active, healthy, and involved members of their communities

Role of a Chiro

· Help promote tissue healing and recovery

· Help debunk irrational brain mapping and dysfunction pain patterns

· After tissue has healed physiologically pain still may remain present

· Through patient education and brain mapping techniques we can reintroduced a non painful stimulus to a designated area and re-establish a mind body connect

· Pain is just the signal and not the cause, optional readings for patient’s would include “Butler’s Explain Pain”

Knowledge of and Agreement with Chronic Pain Diagnosis: Relation to Affective Distress, Pain Beliefs and Coping, Pain Intensity, and Disability

· Examining a cognitive / behavioural model of pain disability indicated that lack of knowledge of pain etiology, a belief that pain is a signal of harm, catastrophizing and affective distress, all significantly predicted increased disability, while pain intensity did not.

· Lack of knowledge about the origin of pain is associated with maladaptive cognitions in relation to pain (i.e., fear of harming oneself and catastrophizing) and increased emotional distress which in turn are related to heightened disability due to pain

· Educating patients regarding their diagnosis and the origin of their pain, dispelling dysfunctional pain beliefs, may be an important component of pain treatment, particularly among patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

References

https://medlineplus.gov/magazine/issues/spring11/articles/spring11pg5-6.html

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1023060616201

Butler, D. and Moseley, G. (2015). Explain pain. 1st ed. Adelaide: Noigroup Publications.

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Dr. Mike Hadbavny

Chiropractor, Sports Sciences Resident RCCSS(C)

If you are interested in learning more about how chiropractic care can be effective for your particular condition or health goals, contact Dr. Mike Hadbavny at 250-881-7881 today to make an appointment and discover the many benefits of seeing a chiropractor in Victoria, BC. Contact us today.