Chronic pain is something that millions of people suffer from every day. Whether it’s due to an injury, a medical condition, or unknown reasons, living with chronic pain can be debilitating and severely impact one’s quality of life. So, when is chronic pain something more serious than just discomfort? In this blog, we’ll be looking at some warning signs that could indicate that your chronic pain is something more serious than you initially thought.
Severity and Duration: One of the first things to consider when determining if your chronic pain is a serious condition is the severity of the pain and how long it has been going on for. If your pain is so severe that it’s affecting your daily life activities, such as sleeping, cooking, or working, then it may be time to see a healthcare provider. Additionally, if your pain has lasted for more than three months despite trying treatments, then it may be time to seek additional medical care instead of pushing through chronic pain.
Location of Pain: Another sign that your chronic pain could be indicating a more serious condition is the location of the pain. If the pain is concentrated in one specific area, such as your lower back or neck, it could be a sign of an underlying condition such as a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. On the other hand, if the pain is in multiple areas of your body, it may be a sign of more complex conditions such as fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis.
Associated Symptoms: Paying attention to any associated symptoms you may be experiencing alongside your chronic pain can also clue you in on whether you should seek medical care. For instance, if you’re experiencing fevers, weight loss, fatigue, and severe weakness, then it’s best to consult a doctor. These associated symptoms could be indicative of more severe conditions such as cancer or an autoimmune disease.
Lack of Improvement: If you’ve tried undergoing treatments for your chronic pain, such as chiropractic or physiotherapy, but nothing seems to be improving, then it may be time to consider seeing a medical specialist. Since chronic pain can be hard to heal, it can take a lot of different routes to treat it. A specialist can perform more complex tests to determine the root cause of your chronic pain. They may also suggest a surgery as a more permanent solution if conservative measures aren’t alleviating your chronic pain.
Emotional Impact: How your chronic pain is affecting you emotionally is another important factor to consider. If you’re experiencing depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts due to your pain, it’s essential to seek help as soon as possible. These emotions could be a sign that your chronic pain is taking a severe toll on your mental health.
Chronic pain is something that millions of people live with daily. While it may be manageable for some, it’s essential to recognize when your chronic pain may be indicating a more severe condition. If you’re experiencing severe pain, pain that’s lasted longer than three months, pain in multiple locations, or associated symptoms like fever, weight loss, or fatigue, it’s best to consult a physiotherapist or chiropractor to help promote the natural healing of chronic pain. Remember to speak up about how your chronic pain is affecting you mentally, as well. Your health and quality of life are worth advocating for.
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with either myself, Dr. Tyler Baron, BASc, DC or another Kitchener chiropractor at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
