What Are Some of the Most Common Causes of Chronic Pain?

According to a 2019 study, 20.4% of American adults suffer from some kind of chronic pain, and 7.4% suffer from high impact chronic pain, meaning that their pain has a significant limiting effect on their daily life and work activities. Chronic pain rates seem to be slightly higher in women than men, though both sexes are impacted. 

Generally defined as pain lasting for more than three months, chronic pain can happen in any part of the body. It can cause not only debilitating physical symptoms but also mental health struggles such as anxiety and depression. It can also cause insomnia and fatigue. 

Chronic pain can have many different causes, and its roots are not always easy to identify, making it difficult for sufferers to access effective treatments. If you suffer from chronic pain, you should be under the care of an appropriate medical professional who will help you to diagnose and treat it. 

Read on to learn about some of the most common causes of chronic pain. 

An Injury

Many cases of chronic pain can be traced back to an injury such as a break, fracture, sprain, or pulled muscle. This is particularly common in athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Experts believe that injuries can damage the nerves in the area, leading to ongoing pain even after the injury has ostensibly healed. 

One way to help avoid sports injuries, or to treat them if they do occur, is to use recovery wear such as our sleeves and braces. These garments support your body’s natural healing processes and help to fight inflammation and ward off pain.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia, also called Fibromyalgia Syndrome or FMS, is a disorder that causes widespread and chronic musculoskeletal pain throughout the body. 

Though it is still unknown what causes fibromyalgia, one common theory is that it is due to changes in the way the sufferer’s nervous system processes pain messages. Chemical imbalances, sleep problems, genetics, and psychological trauma are also believed to be possible contributing factors. 

In the past, many experts questioned whether fibromyalgia was a real condition as it was so poorly understood. Fortunately, that is now changing. However, there is still no definitive test to identify fibromyalgia, so it can be hard to diagnose.

Some fibromyalgia sufferers find that using mobility aids such as wheelchairs helps them.

Poor Posture

Most of us do not sit or stand with an ideal posture. We may slouch, hunch over, or spend many hours sitting at a desk. All of this can have a cumulative effect leading to chronic pain, particularly in the back and neck. If you suffer from chronic back or neck pain, look at your posture first. 

If you suspect poor posture is causing your pain, you can take steps to address it yourself. Focus on standing and walking tall, with a straight back and relaxed shoulders. If you work at a desk, make sure that your office chair is appropriately set up for you, and consider investing in a backrest, footrest, or ergonomic office chair. And if you have to bend or lift regularly, check your form to ensure you are doing so safely and properly. 

A back brace can help you to retain a strong posture. Working with a physiotherapist is also a great option. They can work with you to relieve your pain and help to ensure it does not return in the future. 

Osteoarthritis 

Many people associate arthritis with aging, but the truth is that it can strike at any age. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and can affect both men and women, though it is more common in men under the age of 45 and women of 45 and over.

Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of bones begins to break down. This causes pain, swelling, and limited movement. The exact causes are unknown but some contributing factors are thought to include joint injury, other underlying conditions, family history, age, and obesity. 

Osteoarthritis cannot be cured, but there are treatment options available. These may include painkillers, exercises, losing weight, wearing special footwear, or using assistive devices to help you with everyday tasks. 

Chronic Headaches

A chronic headache is defined as one that occurs at least 15 days out of the month for at least three consecutive months. Chronic headaches can be caused by stress, fatigue or lack of sleep, eye strain, nervous system issues, hormonal problems, or an enlargement of blood vessels in the head.

Less commonly, chronic headaches can be caused by a more serious underlying issue. You should always see your doctor if you suffer from chronic headaches as they will be able to rule out anything serious and recommend an appropriate course of treatment.