If you have signs and symptoms of acute pain that last longer than three months or if you have had recurring pain for at least six months, you may be experiencing chronic pain. Chronic pain can be caused by many different conditions, including arthritis, nerve damage, cancer, and other illnesses. Chronic pain can also be caused by car accidents, sports injuries, and workplace accidents. To experience less pain, it’s important to seek out a chronic or acute pain treatment in Denver ASAP.
Acute pain symptoms become chronic pain symptoms if the body’s response to an injury or illness does not return to normal after a few days, weeks, or months. This can happen as your brain changes the way it copes with ongoing stressors such as:
- Physical injuries
- Emotional distress
- Mental health problems
- Medical conditions
- Surgery
- Pregnancy
- Childbirth
- Aging
- Not treating the pain symptoms before they worsen.
What are the symptoms of chronic pain?
Chronic pain is often described as an “aching” or “burning” sensation, but it doesn’t always hurt like this. Some people describe their chronic pain as feeling numb; others say it feels heavy on them all day long. The following list describes some common signs and symptoms of chronic pain:
- Aching muscles
- Joint stiffness
- Numbness/tingling sensations
- Difficulty sleeping due to discomfort
What is the difference between acute and chronic pain?
Acute pain symptoms are best described as short-term pain, such as a minor burn or a backache. On the other hand, symptoms of chronic pain are long-term and often caused by underlying afflictions such as arthritis or fibromyalgia.
The best way to determine whether your pain is acute or chronic is to ask yourself three questions:
- How long have I had my pain?
- When did my pain start?
- Has my pain improved recently?
If you answered “yes” to all three questions, then chances are good that your pain is acute.
What are the consequences of unrelieved pain?
Unrelieved pain has many negative effects on our bodies, such as headaches, backaches, and insomnia. Pain can cause you to be less productive at work, and you may become irritable and depressed due to the pain. You may also experience anxiety, which can lead to panic attacks. Unrelieved pain often leads to severe chronic pain symptoms and can even indicate something more serious, such as a life-threatening condition.
How are chronic pain symptoms currently treated?
There are several types of treatments available for people who suffer from chronic pain. Some of the top options include treatments like
- Acupuncture
- Chiropractic
- Laser therapy
- Neurofeedback
- Counseling
- And others...
While they may not outright cure your chronic pain, these treatments help greatly alleviate many of your symptoms.
Why is it important to treat acute pain?
Chronic pain often begins as acute pain. If your signs and symptoms of acute pain go untreated, this initial pain will eventually turn into chronic pain. The longer you wait to treat acute pain, the worse it will get.
Untreated acute pain often leads to increased disability, depression, sleep disorders, fatigue, loss of appetite, poor concentration, memory impairment, and decreased quality of life. In addition, there is evidence that treating acute pain early reduces the risk of developing chronic pain later.
Should you seek treatment for acute or chronic pain?
Yes! You don't need to live in constant agony. If you've been experiencing the signs and symptoms of acute pain for weeks or months, then it’s best to seek treatment now.
Treating acute pain when it's still acute can prevent it from progressing into chronic pain, which is a whole other beast of its own. Properly treating the physical and psychological causes and effects of acute pain can help you heal more quickly and more completely than if you wait for the body to do so on its own.
Stop Pain From Lingering With Acute Pain Treatment in Denver
Acute pain can easily become a much bigger problem if it is left untreated. Fortunately, McWhorter CNR is one of Denver’s best acute pain management centers! This is because we approach each and every problem with a comprehensive solution.
We’ll look at more than just the cause of your acute pain. Rather, we’re viewing your pain symptoms with a holistic approach. This ensures that you can experience a positive treatment environment that provides long-lasting results.
If you’re struggling with pain from an accident or injury, you’ll want to learn more about our options for acute pain treatment in Denver.