Chronic Pain won't go away!
In my practice the biggest complaint of any new patient is “Chronic Pain”. Pain in the lower back, pain in the shoulder, pain in the neck, that everyday normal pain. Yet we should not be experiencing that “normal everyday pain” as I remember the TV commercial telling us – “Excedrin – for that normal everyday headache”.
So what can we do about it? This is difficult question, as countless articles, research, therapies and exercises are all devoted to helping a patient who is experiencing chronic pain. When our bodies experience pain, it is for a reason. A general reaction to protect us from harm. It follows 3 distinct phases: immediate, acute and chronic. Immediate pain (“nociception”) is the physiologic prompt response to tissue threat or damage. Persistent nociception however is not a common cause of chronic pain.
Neuropathic pain is a term that has been applied to pain rising and persisting for an indefinite period of time in the absence of detectable injury or inflammation. The nerves that transmit the pain signal to our spinal cord and brain (dorsal horn neurons) begin to over sensitize our central nervous system. How exactly this occurs is still somewhat theorized however we do know that these changes cause exaggerated perception of pain, and can effect other segments of the spine, thus we experience pain elsewhere in our body that was never injured in the first place.
Frustrating! It’s been thought that if we interrupt the pain loop, we can begin to move out of chronic pain. Talk with your Doctor. Some pain inhibitors may be very useful in the short term. Along with a round of drugs, acupuncture or IMS (Inter Muscular Stimulation) can also assist in interrupting the pain cycle. Making sure your body is in alignment and gait patterns are reestablished is also a must, as chronic pain can easily change the way we stand, sit and move. A qualified Neuromuscular Therapist will walk you through the steps you need to begin the journey back from chronic pain.
If you have and comment or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
In Health,
Peter Roach, RMT, CNMT, Laser Therapist
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I am a 58 year old guy who loves to play tennis. You know how one is sore at the beginning of the season when they first play but eventually it goes away as you get used to playing again? Well, my body NEVER gets used to it, what is that all about? My muscles are always sore, after everytime i play
Any ideas on how to remedy this?
Thanks
Bryce,
Thanks for you inquiry. Of coarse it is tough to give some advice without knowing your history so suffice to say I can’t be specific for your particular case. However some things you may want to explore further with your Physician or other health care providers.
What you are referring to is called delayed onset muscle soreness and usually begins to occur 12-48 hour after exercise. For most people this will reach a peak for a day or so and then begin to get better. It is believed that the pain is a result of micro tearing of muscle fibers, and is part of the adaptation of a muscle to an increased load.
You didn’t mention how often you play tennis. If your muscle pain continues after every time you play, please consult your physician. How also look at how often you are exercising. Being 50 years old myself, I have found my recovery is not like it use to be. It takes me about three days between working out the same body part. But it is also essential that you work out that body part (or play tennis) every third day or so to maintain strength, endurance, and continue the adaptation process.
Steps you might try to decrease delayed onset muscle soreness are;
* Ice baths following strenuous activity (some pro athletes swear by it)
* Stretching may help although research has not proven this
* Post exercise massage by an RMT has proven to decrease swelling
* Anti inflammatory (Pharmaceutical or Natural) may also reduce pain
* Warming up and cooling down after exercise is good preventative
* Augmenting your tennis with a weight program will strengthen muscles and help prevent micro tearing.
Good luck. Let me know how it goes.
In Health,
Peter Roach, RMT
You’ve hit the ball out the park! Inecrdlibe!
Hi, I’ve been in pain since 1985, I’ve tried everything! the only meds that work is Morphine sulpate 30mgs I take 3, 3X’s dly , and Kadian 100mgs, I take 2, 3X’s dly. Also Morphine timed released, And i have to take allot of other stuff, too meny to mention, but those are the main ones that help with the pain,
Thanks Kathy for sharing. So unfortunate that despite all our research we still can not help those few as you. Keep me posted on your findings, as every little bit of sharing may help someone else. In Health, Peter
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