Why do I have Chronic Pain?
What's chronic pain?
As defined in this article, chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for 12 weeks or longer regardless of medication.
Typical areas of chronic pain
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Hip pain
- Knee pain
- Ankle/foot pain
- Headaches/migraines
So what are the causes?
Excluding results of trauma, surgery, or medication, the prevalence of chronic pain conditions has most directly been caused by our sedentary lifestyles: prolonged sitting/standing.
Unfortunately there are additional factors at play:
- What are your exercise routine?
- Do you have a stretching routine?
- Hows your diet?
- Hows your stress management?
With so many factors that feed into any one condition, its hard to realize the sources of the pain. Many times there are a lot of little reasons that culminate and manifest into pain and discomfort.
What do I do if I have chronic pain?
Basic stretching and light exercise can help and other interventions such as Epsom salt baths for 15 min can be effective intermittently throughout the week.
Massage can also be effective especially in conjunction with acupuncture.
The unfortunate truth is a lifestyle change is the only real way to manage the pain. Adjusting your day to involve less blocks of time being stationary and increasing movement, over time can greatly reduce the frequency and intensity of the pain.
