Chronic pain, a challenging and prolonged condition that affects 1 in 5 adults in the United States, goes beyond physical discomfort to impact a person’s daily life, mental health, and the activities they once enjoyed.
At Michigan Primary Care Partners, we are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for those seeking relief from chronic pain. We can help patients with chronic pain experience a better quality of life through patient-centered strategies and innovative treatments.
Understanding Chronic Pain
In comparison to acute pain, which is sudden and short-lived, chronic pain can last for weeks, months, or even years. It can be intermittent or continuous, and it frequently gets in the way of daily life.
Recognizing both acute and chronic pain is crucial for seeking proper treatment, which may include physical therapy to manage these challenging conditions effectively.
The Causes of Chronic Pain
Chronic pain can result from a number of factors, each playing a role in the persistence and intensity of pain experienced by the individual. These factors include:
- Injury: Injuries from accidents, falls, or sports can lead to chronic pain if not properly healed or treated. Tissue damage and the resultant healing process can leave behind lingering discomfort that evolves into chronic pain.
- Medical Conditions: Various health conditions are known to cause chronic pain. Arthritis, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and chronic migraines are just a few examples where chronic pain is a central symptom, greatly affecting an individual's quality of life.
- Lifestyle Choices: Lifestyle factors such as poor posture, lack of physical activity, or even excessive physical activity without adequate recovery can contribute to the development of chronic pain. Obesity can also lead to additional strain on the body, exacerbating pain in the joints and back.
- Psychological Factors: Stress, depression, and anxiety have been linked to the perception of pain. Chronic stress can lead to muscle tension and pain, while anxiety and depression can alter an individual’s perception of pain, potentially exacerbating it.
- Environmental and Occupational Hazards: Continuous exposure to certain environmental or occupational hazards – such as repetitive movement, poor ergonomics at the workplace, or exposure to toxic substances – can contribute to developing chronic pain conditions.
Treatment & Management Strategies
Pain management treatments at Michigan Primary Care Partners aim to provide effective pain relief tailored to individual patient needs. Our approach combines medication, therapy, and alternative treatments in a comprehensive, patient-centered manner.
The use of medication is carefully considered and may include over-the-counter pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, and in some cases, prescription opioids for short-term management. The goal is to alleviate pain while minimizing potential side effects and dependency risks.
In addition, some of the treatments our MPCP team offers for managing chronic pain include:
- Bowel and Bladder Neuromodulation Therapy: A cutting-edge approach for patients with nerve dysfunction affecting bladder and bowel control, this treatment significantly improves quality of life.
- Botox Injections: Botox is used to relieve muscle stiffness and reduce the frequency of chronic migraine.
- Bursa Injections: These injections target pain and inflammation in the bursae, small fluid-filled sacs around your joints, to improve mobility and decrease discomfort.
- Celiac Plexus Block: A nerve block procedure is essential for patients with chronic abdominal pain, particularly from pancreatic cancer or chronic pancreatitis.
- DISC-FX, Discography, and Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery: These procedures are used for diagnosing and treating pain originating from the spinal discs and vertebrae, employing the latest minimally invasive techniques.
- EMG/NCV, Epidural Injection, Facet Joint Injections, and Lumbar Sympathetic Block: These diagnostic and treatment methods manage pain extending from the spinal nerves, with epidural injections targeting the space around the spinal cord.
- Hyalgan, Intercostal Nerve Blocks, and Kyphoplasty/Vertebroplasty: Specific treatments focusing on pain in the knees, chest, and spinal fractures, providing relief and stability.
- Medial Branch Nerve Blocks, Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Disc Decompression, and Painful Diabetic Neuropathy Treatment: These strategies address chronic back pain, disc-related issues, and nerve pain in diabetic patients.
- Radio Frequency, Regenerative Medicine, and Sacroiliac Joint Injections: Innovative techniques utilizing radio waves, natural healing processes, and targeted injections to alleviate pain and repair tissue.
- Selective Nerve Root Block, Spinal Cord Stimulator, and Stellate Ganglion Block: These procedures are directed at specific nerves or groups of nerves to reduce pain signals sent to the brain.
- Transforaminal Epidural Injection, Trigger Point Injections, and Ultrasound-Guided Joint Injections: These treatments provide targeted relief for different types of pain, including muscular, joint, and spinal.
Michigan Primary Care Partners is dedicated to providing holistic and empathetic care to individuals suffering from chronic pain, offering them a pathway to improved well-being and a better quality of life.
What Does Chronic Pain Affect?
Chronic pain affects a person's physical and mental health. Find out how chronic pain affects someone's life.
Social & Occupational Disruption
Chronic pain often leads to significant disruptions in social and occupational spheres. Due to decreased productivity and frequent absences, individuals may find it challenging to maintain employment. This can lead to financial stress and affect the individual's ability to fulfill their role in the family and society.
Socially, chronic pain can lead to isolation as individuals may withdraw from social activities and relationships due to their inability to participate fully. Recognizing and addressing these disruptions is crucial for holistic treatment and management of chronic pain.
Physical Activity & Lifestyle Changes
Chronic pain can drastically alter an individual's lifestyle, particularly in terms of physical activity. Fear of exacerbating pain might lead to avoiding exercise, which paradoxically can result in weakened muscles and decreased physical endurance, further worsening the pain.
The right kind of physical activity, however, can be therapeutic. It strengthens muscles, improves mood by releasing endorphins, and can decrease pain perception.
Each of these aspects underscores the complexity of chronic pain and the necessity for a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. Addressing the physical and mental impacts of chronic pain can pave the way for more effective management strategies and, ultimately, a better quality of life for those affected.
Discover Unparalleled Chronic Pain Management with Michigan Primary Care Partners
If you or a loved one is struggling with chronic pain, don't face it alone. Reach out to the compassionate team at Michigan Primary Care Partners in Reed City, Big Rapids, Grand Rapids, and Canadian Lakes – today. Discover a partnership dedicated to your well-being, providing innovative and empathetic care to help you regain control over your pain and your life. to start your journey towards a more comfortable and fulfilling life. Schedule an appointment now!
