Injury Overview
Chronic pain can be caused by a multitude of factors. Aging, disease, injuries that did
not heal properly, and nerve damage are just a few of the possibilities that could contribute to
chronic pain.
It is imperative to treat the cause and not just the signs and symptoms. Many times, in order to manage Chronic Pain, it is necessary to utilize a multidisciplinary approach in order to ensure the best opportunity for success. The team should consist of a Medical Doctor, Physical Therapist, Chiropractor, Psychologist, and Nutritionist. The MD will be able to run all of the necessary diagnostics and will make sure the pain is being managed pharmaceutically. The Physical Therapist, who specializes in manual therapy, will look at the quality and quantity of movement, impairments and will determine which tissue is the pain producer which is making it very difficult for the patient to function. A Chiropractor will be able to make sure the alignment is being restored to the spine and the nerves can move and function in an ideal manner. A Psychologist will be able to address the psychological effects of pain on the person's life. They will also be able to help with stress management and will be educating the patient on the negative effects of stress on the entire body. A Nutritionist will be able to assess and evaluate an individual's diet to make sure they are eating the right nutrients for tissue repair and avoid foods which might feed inflammation.
Preventing chronic pain comes down very simply to treating the pain correctly before it becomes chronic. Once pain is in a chronic state, it takes vastly longer to get back out of it.