Information From Your Health Care Provider

CHRONIC PAIN SYNDROME

Basic information

description

Chronic pain syndrome is pain that has lasted for months (usually 3 to 6). It is pain that is ongoing after a person has healed from an injury or illness. In some cases, the pain has no known cause. Pain symptoms vary and involve both the body and the mind. They affect your physical and emotional well-being. Chronic pain syndrome is common. It can affect all ages (older adults more often) and women more than men.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Pain affects one or more body parts (e.g., back, legs, neck, shoulders, hips, arms, head, stomach, or chest). It may spread or radiate (move) from one part to another.
Pain may be mild, moderate, or severe and may vary at times. It may be constant pain or it may come and go.
Pain is described as aching, shooting, burning, sharp, stabbing, cramping, throbbing, or other terms.
Fatigue, trouble sleeping, or loss of appetite.
Fear of more pain leads to reduced activity levels.
Problems in doing daily activities (e.g., work, school, or household tasks). Unable to enjoy life.
Mood changes, low self-esteem, depression, anger, irritability, stressed, anxious, or thoughts of suicide.

causes

The exact cause is unclear and probably complex. It is known that the pain is real. Factors may include:
- Pain signals in the nerves and brain continue after normal healing from an injury or illness.
- Brain chemicals that control pain fail to function.
- Nerves become damaged.
- Emotional, mental, social, or behavioral aspects (called psychosocial).

risk increases with

None specific. Risk may be higher for women, people with depression or anxiety (especially health anxiety), or people who have certain psychological conditions.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

No known preventive measures.

expected outcomes

It depends on each person's response to treatment. There is no cure, but pain and emotional symptoms can be controlled so a person can lead a more normal life.

possible complications

Pain continues despite treatment.
Side affects of drugs used for treatment.
Family or marriage problems, job loss, or disability.
Feelings of hopelessness and despair.
Poor motivation to follow a treatment plan.
Going from doctor to doctor in search of a cure.

diagnosis & treatment

general measures

Your health care provider will ask questions about your pain and emotional symptoms, medical history, and your quality of life. You may be asked to fill out a form about the pain. A physical exam will be done. Medical tests may be used to check for specific causes of the pain. There is no test for chronic pain syndrome. It is diagnosed only after other causes are ruled out.
Treatment usually involves physical and behavioral therapies combined with drug therapy. The treatment plan will be a team effort—patient, family, health care provider, and other medical professionals.
The goal is to manage the pain and have a reasonable quality of life. Several types of therapies help the body and the mind learn to cope with the pain symptoms.
Therapies for the body can help improve physical mobility, enable you to perform daily living tasks, and help with issues involving work and social life.
Therapies for the mind can help change the way you think about pain, teach you ways to relax, and help you learn how to control your body's responses.
Counseling can help with specific problems (e.g., depression, stress, sleep, relationships, and others).
Other treatments (e.g., massage, acupuncture, yoga, chiropractic, electrical stimulation) may be options.
For more help: American Chronic Pain Association; 800-533-3231; website: www.theacpa.org.

medications

Drugs will be prescribed as appropriate for pain relief, depression, or other specific symptoms.

activity

Exercise daily—a few minutes a day to start and increase slowly to 30 minutes. Walking is an excellent exercise.