Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)
Diagnosis & Understanding
11. Painful Diabetic Neuropathy
1:46
12. CRPS I
1:57
13. Central Sensitization Syndrome
1:48
14. Neck Pain
1:55
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
1. Physical Therapy
1:35
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
2:08
3. Bracing
1:30
Minimally Invasive & Surgical Treatments
3. Stellate Ganglion Injection
1:52
4. Lumbar Sympathetic Injection
1:36
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS)
Diagnosis & Understanding
3. CRPS I
1:57
5. Nerve Blocks
2:07
6. Nerve Blocks
2:07
7. EMG Nerve Conduction Study
1:26
Minimally Invasive & Surgical Treatments
1. Hydrodissection
1:33
Alternative & Emerging Therapies
3. Regenerative Medicine
2:06
Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD)
Diagnosis & Understanding
3. MILD Procedure
2:04
Minimally Invasive & Surgical Treatments
6. Artificial Disc Replacement
1:52
7. Facet Joint Fusion
1:48
8. Regenerative Medicine
2:06
Interspinous Fusion (midline or lateral approach)
Diagnosis & Understanding
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
3. Bracing
1:30
Alternative & Emerging Therapies
Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation (DRG)
Diagnosis & Understanding
3. Pelvic and Perineal Pain
1:52
7. Painful Diabetic Neuropathy
1:46
8. CRPS I
1:57
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
1. Physical Therapy
1:35
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
2:08
3. Bracing
1:30
Minimally Invasive & Surgical Treatments
3. Lumbar Sympathetic Injection
1:36
Alternative & Emerging Therapies
3. Regenerative Medicine
2:06
Robert Moghim MD
Anchor Healthcare
Understanding Chronic Pain – What it is and why it persists
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Pain is categorized into acute, subacute, and chronic stages based on how long it lasts and how the body responds. Understanding the differences helps guide treatment and recovery. Acute Pain (0-6 weeks) – This is immediate pain following an injury, surgery, or medical condition. It serves as a warning signal and usually improves as the body heals. Example: A person sprains their ankle while running. The pain is sharp and intense at first, accompanied by swelling. With rest, ice, and treatment, the pain gradually decreases as the injury heals. Subacute Pain (6-12 weeks) – This is the transition phase between acute and chronic pain. The initial injury has started to heal, but pain may persist due to lingering inflammation, muscle weakness, or improper healing. Example: A person undergoes back surgery and still experiences discomfort eight weeks later. While the surgical site is healing, stiffness and mild pain remain, requiring rehabilitation and physical therapy. Chronic Pain (Beyond 12 weeks) – Pain that persists beyond the expected healing time is considered chronic. It may no longer be directly tied to an injury and can be influenced by nerve dysfunction, inflammation, or central sensitization. Example: A person develops knee pain after a minor injury. Months later, even after the original injury has healed, the pain remains, making it difficult to walk or stand for long periods. The pain may stem from nerve changes rather than ongoing tissue damage. Because the causes and mechanisms of pain change over time, treatment approaches also differ. Acute pain is managed with rest, ice, and short-term medications, while chronic pain requires a comprehensive approach, including physical therapy, interventional procedures, and neuromodulation therapies like spinal cord stimulation (SCS) or peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS). Understanding these stages helps patients and doctors choose the most effective treatments for long-term relief.
FAQs
Can chronic pain be prevented, and if so, how?
While not all chronic pain can be prevented, early and effective treatment of acute injuries can help reduce the risk. This includes promptly addressing acute pain with appropriate rest, ice, and medications, engaging in rehabilitation exercises, and monitoring the pain's progression. Staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can also aid in prevention by supporting the body's natural healing processes.
How is chronic pain typically treated?
Chronic pain management requires a comprehensive approach tailored to the individual's needs. It often includes a combination of physical therapy to strengthen the muscles, interventional procedures for pain relief, and neuromodulation therapies like spinal cord stimulation (SCS) or peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS). This multidisciplinary strategy is aimed at providing long-term relief and improving quality of life.
What are some examples of conditions that can lead to chronic pain?
Conditions such as persistent knee pain after a minor leg injury, back pain following surgery, or headaches after a concussion can all evolve into chronic pain if the symptoms extend beyond the typical healing period. The pain in these cases might be attributed to changes in nerve function or remaining inflammation.
What distinguishes chronic pain from acute and subacute pain?
Chronic pain is classified as pain that persists beyond 12 weeks, often continuing after the initial injury has healed. It differs from acute pain, which is immediate and short-term following an injury or surgery, and subacute pain, which occurs during the 6-12 weeks as the body transitions from acute to less intense pain. Chronic pain may no longer be directly linked to an injury and can be influenced by factors such as nerve dysfunction or central sensitization.
Why does chronic pain persist even after an injury has healed?
Chronic pain may persist due to several reasons, including nerve changes, ongoing inflammation, or a condition called central sensitization where the nervous system becomes overly sensitive. Even after the physical injury has healed, these factors can maintain the perception of pain in the body, leading to prolonged discomfort.