Did you know that as many as one in five people in the U.S. experience chronic pain? It’s a condition characterized by pain that lasts for three months or longer. What’s even worse is that it’s not only long-lasting; for many, it’s also debilitating.
Fortunately, chronic pain is often avoidable and treatable. However, its prevention and treatment lie in knowing what’s behind it.
Don’t worry, as that’s what you’ll learn in this guide. So, read on to learn the leading causes of chronic pain and what you can do about them.
Table of Contents
Poor Posture
Posture refers to how you hold your body. It’s the position you assume when you’re still (i.e., sit, stand, or lie in bed) and when you move (i.e., exercise, walk, or work).
Because you assume a posture in everything you do, it can affect your spine’s natural curves. If that normal curvature becomes misaligned, you’re at risk of developing acute pain. If you still don’t correct your poor posture, chronic pain can follow.
For instance, slouching while you sit can place extra pressure and stress on your neck and back. Over time, that can lead to pain in the neck, back, shoulders, and legs.
Fortunately, you can fix your poor posture without surgical pain treatments. It starts with being proactive in maintaining your spine’s natural curve. Keep your neck straight, and your shoulders parallel with your hips at all times.
Injuries
Every year, tens of millions of people worldwide sustain injuries requiring emergency care. Many of those lead to hospitalizations, while others result in permanent disability.
Many injuries, especially the severe ones, also cause pain that persists for years. Traumatic injuries from falls, car crashes, and sporting incidents are perfect examples. Pain can arise from such events since they lead to musculoskeletal and nerve damage.
If you’ve sustained a traumatic injury yourself, neuropathy treatment can help. It involves occupational and physical therapy, which can also address musculoskeletal woes.
Underlying Health Conditions
Long-lasting pain can also result from underlying diseases and disorders. For instance, arthritis, a degenerative joint disease, is one of the top causes of chronic pain. Unfortunately, it’s also prevalent, affecting over 58 million people in the U.S. alone.
Fibromyalgia, a condition that causes widespread pain, is another well-known culprit. The pain that results from it can affect any part of the body, such as the head, back, legs, and feet. In addition, people with this condition often experience more intense pain.
The good news is that chronic pain caused by diseases and disorders is also treatable. However, it’s vital to diagnose the condition first before starting pain management. Only after that can doctors recommend medications, neuropathic therapy, or surgery.
Combat the Top Causes of Chronic Pain
And there you have it; your guide to the primary causes of chronic pain. As you can see, most, especially poor posture, are preventable. Relief is also available, and in some cases, even with only lifestyle modifications.
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