As much as medicine continues to advance and saves lives, patients suffering from chronic pain often go from doctor to doctor, pill to pill, and procedure to surgery with no relief, and often exacerbation of their pain. Besides leading to disability and severe reduction in people’s quality of life, it can negatively impact practically all aspects of people’s lives. As a result of chronic pain, people can develop depression, anxiety, and put them at risk for many other diseases. The patient may also experience serious adverse effects to medications, uncomfortable side effects to medications, or even addiction to painkillers.
Types of Chronic Pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches / Migraine
- Neck Pain
- Back Pain
- Arthritis
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Chronic pain for any other reason or existing condition
Management
There are many ways of managing chronic pain and none of them are perfect or completely effective for everyone.
Treatment starts at recognizing that someone is suffering from chronic pain and seeking help. There are multitudes of therapy ranging from medication to procedures such as nerve blocks to surgery. Many people find relief with alternative therapies such as physical therapy, acupuncture, relaxation therapy, massage, biofeedback, and other types of therapy.
Since sleep can often impact people’s mood, weight, sleep, energy and practically all other facets of life, people often need management for those symptoms as well. Sometimes psychological therapy may be of benefit.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can also be potentially very helpful. Things like aerobic exercise, sleep hygiene that accommodates good quality sleep, and a healthy diet can also alleviate people’s symptoms.
Medical Marijuana
Patients with a diagnosis of chronic pain can be certified for medical marijuana by an authorized provider MMJ Card in NYC. Medical marijuana license can potentially alleviate the burden of chronic pain and the consequences of suffering from the disease.
Resources
American Chronic Pain Association – https://theacpa.org/
National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association – www.fmcpaware.org
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke – www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/all-disorders/chronic-pain-information-page