Chronic pain is a condition that occurs when the brain concludes there is a threat to a person's well-being based on the many signals it receives from the body. This condition can and often does occur independently of any actual body tissue damage (due to injury or illness) and beyond normal tissue healing time.

It's been estimated that around 116 million Americans suffer from chronic pain on an annual basis. The expenses incurred in the United States for medical treatment, lost work hours, and lost wages amount to $560-$635 billion per year.

The causes of chronic pain vary widely. While any condition can lead to chronic pain, certain medical conditions are more likely to cause chronic pain. These include:

• Trauma/injury.

• Diabetes Mellitus.

• Fibromyalgia.

• Limb Amputation.

• Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy.

Some diseases, such as cancer and arthritis, cause ongoing pain. However, chronic pain is created in the nervous system even after physical tissues have healed.

Chronic pain affects each person experiencing it differently. Chronic pain can sometimes lead to decreased activity levels, job loss, financial difficulties, anxiety, depression, and disability. Physical therapists work together with chronic pain patients to lessen their pain and restore their activity to the highest possible levels. With treatment, the adverse effects of chronic pain can be reduced.

Physical therapists are movement experts. They improve quality of life through hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement. To schedule an appointment to discuss and treat your chronic pain, contact us for an evaluation.