Ahh, fall. A time to enjoy that pumpkin spice latte, prep for the annual mad dash of candy-obsessed superheroes and princesses, and admire the dramatic foliage change. If you’re like many Americans, it also means the arrival of another annual ritual – popping some over-the-counter pain medication to soothe your low back pain after a weekend of raking up those colorful leaves.
Acute Pain vs. Chronic Pain
Although it may not seem very helpful, pain is the body’s natural response to alert you that something is wrong. However, according to pain management specialist Roger K. Haddad, D.O., there’s a difference between acute pain and chronic pain.
Acute pain, or temporary pain, often is caused by improper lifting, a sudden twisting of the body or repetitive motions that cause a muscle strain or sprain – such as hours of raking leaves. This pain typically goes away within a few months. Chronic pain, however, lasts longer, is more complex in nature and may be the sign of a serious condition.
Types of Chronic Pain
According to the Institute of Medicine, approximately 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain, which may include:
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Headaches
- Arthritis
- Cancer pain
- Pain resulting from bone, joint and nerve conditions
- Post-surgical pain
Chronic Pain Can Have Other Health Effects
“When you experience lasting pain without relief, it can have a significant effect on your quality of life,” says Dr. Haddad. Chronic pain can also lead to associated effects that include:
- Fatigue
- Insomnia and increased need for rest
- Mood changes, including depression, anxiety and stress
- Loss of interest in previous activities
- A weakened immune system
- Disability
How Do You Treat Chronic Pain?
For some, the first instinct is to take over-the-counter pain medication, which may work to relieve some forms of acute pain. Others see their primary care physician as a first step, who may be able to provide additional therapeutic options. However, if your pain persists despite treatment, you may want to ask your physician for a referral to a pain management physician or schedule a consultation directly.
Advanced Management of Chronic Pain
Pain management specialists first isolate the source of pain. They then work with you to create a personalized care plan based on your individual medical history, pain history, and current medical and pain condition. This treatment plan may include:
- Oral medication
- X-ray guided nerve blocks
- Steroid joint injections for peripheral joints (knee, hip, shoulder and other joints on your limbs), trigger points and the facet joints in your spine
- Epidural spine injections
- Radiofrequency ablation, which decreases pain signals by using radio waves to heat nerve tissue
- Neurostimulation therapy, which uses electrical impulses to disrupt nerve impulses that cause pain
- Implantable pain pumps, which continuously deliver pain-relieving drugs
Pain physicians also work with a team of specialists to provide other types of therapy as necessary, including physical, behavioral and complementary therapies.
Request an appointment online or call 1-800-HENRYFORD (436-7936).
Roger K. Haddad, D.O., is a pain management specialist seeing patients at Henry Ford Medical Center – Columbus in Novi, Henry Ford Medical Center – Cottage in Grosse Pointe Farms, Henry Ford Medical Center – Ford Road in Dearborn and Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
