Know Your Enemy: What Type Of Chronic Pain Do You Have?

Suffering from constant pain of some kind? You need to know first what is causing it. Check out our list of types of chronic pain and find answers.

Over 50 million people experience chronic pain in the US. All types of chronic pain are distressing, but you can find the best ways to relieve pain if you know what you are suffering from.

Chronic pain is long-lasting pain that lingers even when the initial cause has gone. There are different answers for what causes chronic pain, from injuries to nerve damage. And how to treat chronic pain depends on your specific problem.

Here are some different kinds of chronic pain to identify what you are experiencing.

Nociceptive Pain

Nociceptive pain is caused by damage to your body tissue, not the nerves. It happens in many areas of the body, but usually the musculoskeletal system. The nociceptors sense physical damage to the body and activate.

Nociceptive chronic pain can include fibromyalgia, arthritis, and headaches. Pain relief includes physical therapy, electrical stimulation, and acupuncture.

Somatic Pain

Somatic pain is a specific type of nociceptive pain that the sensory nerves detect. Somatic pain can happen in the muscles, skin, and soft tissues. Typically it includes pelvic pain from joint instability, bone fractures, and tension headaches.

Somatic pain often includes medications, such as over-the-counter options. However, therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness are also used.

Visceral Pain

Visceral pain is another type of nociceptive pain but happens in the internal organs. It can be hard to locate the cause of this chronic pain initially as it can feel more widespread. Visceral pain can include prostate pain, irritable bowel syndrome, and bladder pain.

It also includes Endometriosis, which affects one in ten women in the world. Treatment includes medications, surgery, and physical therapy. There are also alternative treatments such as massage therapy.

Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain is caused by damage to the nerves, which cause them to send pain signals to the spinal cord and brain, even without reason. The cause is usually irritated or damaged nerves.

The pain can feel electrical, burn, or be sharp. Post-mastectomy pain and peripheral neuropathy are neuropathic.

Sciatica is also considered neuropathic. Learn more about sciatica and treatment options here.

Psychogenic Pain

There is not an identifiable physical factor that causes chronic psychogenic pain. Instead, the primary triggers are psychological, such as depression or anxiety. It is one of the hardest types of chronic pain to treat because there is no set cause.

However, psychological medications, therapy, distraction techniques, and meditation are treatment options.

Idiopathic Pain

Idiopathic pain has no identifiable cause and is diagnosed when pain lasts six months or longer. It can be widespread or localized, with different relating factors. Usually, treatment involves physical therapy and psychological support for pain management.

Know The Types Of Chronic Pain

Once you know the types of chronic pain, you can identify what you are experiencing. Although there is power in accepting chronic pain, it is also worth looking at treatment options for pain relief. There are ways to reduce and get rid of chronic pain.

Did you like this article? Check out our other health articles for more helpful advice.

*collaborative post