- Injury Treatment
None of us can predict when we’re going to suffer an excruciating injury. It can happen on your way to work when the car behind you slams into your bumper. It can happen while you’re shopping in the produce section and fall on a wet floor. Because these things happen by chance, it can be hard to find the best ways to deal with long-term pain. This is why it’s so important that you call us for the treatment of your injuries in Athens, Georgia.
If you suffer any sort of injury, the biggest mistake you can make is putting off seeing a doctor or chiropractor. By the time you finally decide you need help, the pain is unbearable. You may end up missing days or weeks from work. You probably can’t walk around without hurting. There’s no reason to put up with this sort of torture. Relief is possible and it lies in the hands of our experienced practitioners in Athens, Georgia.
Nobody Can Predict When They May Suffer a Debilitating Injury
Every day, people are forced to deal with long-term pain and depression. How can they address the never-ending ache that comes along with long-term pain? Some problems come about because of injuries people have suffered. Others are simply the result of getting older.
Chronic pain can have a detrimental effect on your lifestyle. It can also lead to things like depression, mood swings, inefficient performance, and other cognitive and bodily complications.
A 2021 report by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department noted that 5,433 traffic crashes on public roads resulted in serious injuries. The accident victims would likely benefit from medical treatment. Sadly, many of them just put up with the pain. We don’t believe anybody should live like this. That’s why we urge our patients to see us as often as they need to for pain relief.
What Is Chronic Pain and How to Deal With Long-Term Pain
We all feel pain every once in a while. However, there is a big difference between acute pain and chronic pain. Acute pain is short-lived and can usually be treated with an anti-inflammatory or over-the-counter pain medicine.
Chronic pain is a lot harder to treat. Any pain that lingers for more than three months would qualify as chronic pain. The pain can occur anywhere in your body and may hinder your daily life. It can make it nearly impossible to go to work, enjoy a social life, and exercise. Chronic pain often causes depression, anxiety, and sleep deprivation. It can be hard to sleep when it hurts just to turn over, making it harder and harder to deal with long-term pain.
Chronic pain, on the other hand, usually comes with ongoing distress. Chronic pain persists even when you think you’ve recovered from your injuries. Sometimes this pain can flare up out of nowhere. When this happens, you don’t have to take it sitting down. You should call our office and arrange to be seen by one of our staff who can help you deal with long-term pain.
How Common Is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is one of the most common reasons people seek clinical care in the United States. Approximately 25% of Americans experience chronic pain. The American Academy of Pain Medicine reports that more than 100 million people – that is one in three – suffer from chronic pain. Every year, lower back pain is cited as being the most common type of debilitating work injury.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Long-Term Pain?
Chronic pain can sometimes be explained by an underlying illness. Conditions such as cancer or arthritis can cause extreme chronic pain. Many people who deal with long-term pain have been in an accident of some sort in the days leading up to the onset of their pain.
Even when you get over your illness you may still deal with long-term pain. It may come and go. You could go to bed feeling fine and wake up the next morning unable to move. The best thing to do is to have our contact information on speed dial. You never know when you may need to call us in case of an emergency. If you live on your own, you may not be able to get to your computer to look us up.
What Does Long-Term Pain Feel Like?
It is hard to describe exactly what it feels like to be in chronic pain. If you’ve never experienced it, be thankful. People who do deal with long-term pain describe it as having the following symptoms:
- Aching
- Burning
- Stinging
- Stiffness
- Shooting Pains
- Throbbing
Many people don’t just suffer from pain. Chronic pain can also cause secondary symptoms, such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
- Fatigue or feeling overtired most of the time
How Is the Cause of Chronic Pain Diagnosed?
Pain is considered to be chronic if it lasts for over three months, comes back frequently, or is unrelenting. Pain is usually a symptom of something else. Therefore, your doctor will be required to perform a complete evaluation in order to determine the roots of your injury.
Since pain is subjective, it’s not always possible to find its origin. Your doctor will have to rely on your description of the pain in order to treat you. Some of the things you’ll need to describe to your doctor are listed below. Your healthcare provider will want to know the following to help you better deal with long-term pain:
- Your level of discomfort
- The frequency with which it occurs
- The extent to which it is affecting your life and work
- How it is affected by strain or tension in your daily life
- If you have experienced any illnesses or surgical procedures
What Tests Are Used to Diagnose Chronic Pain?
You may be asked to undergo a bodily examination and ancillary tests by your health care provider to determine why you are in pain. They may also have you undergo a litany of tests including:
- Blood tests
- Electromyography to test muscle activity
- X-rays and MRI for imaging
- Nerve conduction research to look at the reactions of nerves
- Reflex and stability checks
- Spinal fluid and urine exams
Contact Us for Treatment of Your Injuries in Athens, Georgia
If you deal with long-term pain, you’re probably wondering, “how can I find the best injury treatment center near me?” We can help you find the point of origin for your pain and recommend a proper treatment regimen. Get in touch with us today for an evaluation.
