Of course, there are many kinds of pain and different causes. Yet, most types of chronic pain share a similar pattern:

  • Initially, some form of local pain happens.
  • Then, pain recurs. Your nervous system gets sensitized.
  • Eventually, your threshold lowers for local pain.
  • Finally, additional stresses ramp up the runaway pain cycle…and we may end up disabled by pain that isn’t even there!
how chronic pain develops

This process applies to many types of pain. Examples include, chronic headache, low back pain and fibromyalgia. There are many treatments available, but effectiveness varies. Fortunately myofascial therapy uses a range of safe and effective treatments to reduce chronic pain.

Put a myofascial therapist on your team!

Your Content Goes Here

Chronic Pain Characteristics

The ICD-11 classification suggests 7 categories:1
  1. Primary pain: 3 months of persistent pain in one or more areas.
  2. Cancer pain: from cancer or treatment related pain.
  3. Posttraumatic pain: 3 months post trauma or surgery.
  4. Neuropathic pain: caused by damage to the sensory nervous system.
  5. Chronic headache and orofacial pain: originates in the head or face for 50% or more days over a 3 month period.
  6. Visceral pain: originates in an internal organ.
  7. Musculoskeletal pain: originates in the bones, muscles, joints or connective tissue.
We are speaking broadly when we talk about chronic pain. However, are not including visceral and cancer pain.

We divide pain into two categories. First, is pain from tissue damage is nociceptive pain. Second, is pain caused by nervous system malfunction or damage is neuropathic or nerve pain. Then, we divide nociceptive pain into superficial and deep. Similarly, we divide neuropathic pain into peripheral and central.2 Peripheral nerve pain3 originates in the peripheral nervous system.  In contrast, central nerve pain originates in the brain or spinal cord.4 Often, we describe peripheral nerve pain as "burning", "tingling", "stabbing", or "pins and needles".5

Examples

For instance, an untreated ingrown toenail will produce superficial, nociceptive pain. This is minor tissue damage. Unfortunately, will learn how a small episode can turn into major chronic pain. However, arthritis will cause deep nociceptive pain. This can quickly become chronic.
Patients who have had a spinal injury or surgery frequently have some peripheral nerve pain as a side-effect. However, they may be willing to make that trade. Previously, they might have had the wrenching, central nerve pain of a compressed spinal cord or nerve root.
However, the fact that this pain persists after surgery is at the heart of several types of chronic pain.

Prevalence of chronic pain varies in various countries. It ranges from 10% to over 50% of the population. Generally, it affects women at a higher rate than men.

Chronic Pain Prevalence Surveys

A large-scale telephone survey of 15 European countries and Israel was conducted. 19% of respondents over 18 years of age suffered pain for more than 6 months. This included the last month, and more than twice in the last week. Their pain intensity was 5 or more for the last episode. 4,839 of these respondents with chronic pain were interviewed in depth. 66% scored their pain intensity at moderate (5–7), and 34% at severe (8–10). Further, 46% had constant pain and 56% were intermittent. 49% had suffered pain for 2–15 years. In addition, 21% had been diagnosed with depression due to the pain. 61% were less able to work outside the home. 19% had lost a job, and 13% had changed jobs due to their pain.6

Prevalence in the United States

In the United States, the prevalence is estimated to be approximately 35%. In fact, approximately 50 million Americans experience partial or total disability.7 According to the Institute of Medicine, there are about 116 million Americans living with chronic pain. This suggests that about half of American adults have some chronic pain condition Journal of the 8. In an internet study, prevalence was calculated to be 30.7% of the population. This broke down to 34.3% for women and 26.7% for men.9.

Developed vs Less Developed Countries

Notably, prevalence of chronic pain is generally higher in more developed countries. It is higher still for the US. Possibly, this is something of a "first world problem". Also, it may be under-reported in other cultures. Perhaps few people are even asking people about their pain. Possibly, it could be that other cultures offer different forms of treatment that are effective. On the other hand, simpler life-styles with less stress might promote healing.

The impact of chronic pain on cognition is under-researched. However, several tentative conclusions have been published.  For instance, most people with chronic pain complain of some cognitive impairment. This includes forgetfulness, difficulty with attention, and difficulty completing tasks.

Objective testing has found chronic pain sufferers experience a wide range impairments. This includes:

  • Attention.
  • Memory.
  • Mental flexibility.
  • Verbal ability.
  • Speed in cognitive tasks.
  • Speed in executing structured tasks.10

How Do Simple Pains Become Chronic?

Chronic Pain Characteristics

For instance, before low back pain becomes chronic, we have a particular injury. Maybe we have occasional episodes. Maybe, it’s just a trigger point in a muscle. It might even be a disc injury. But it will heal.

The same thing happens with a headache. Occasionally, muscular problems or swollen blood vessel might cause a headache. They pass.

Over time, the pain of an injury should subside.  However, if it doesn’t we might think our back problem is getting worse. Often, we also won’t be able to detect any deterioration. In fact, an MRI might even show improvement.

So, if our back has healed but our pain has actually gotten worse, what is going on?

Unfortunately, we may have developed central sensitivity to this local pain. Now, imagine that you have central sensitivity AND the local pain continues.

Ultimately, this is how severe chronic pain develops.

Chronic Pain and Central Sensitivity

In Central Sensitivity Syndrome, the nervous system begins to Runaway Cycle. It gets set to a persistent state of high sensitivity. Then, this persistent sensitivity lowers your threshold for what causes Pain Felt. Subsequently, your nervous system maintains your Pain Felt even after the cause is gone. Small pains become big pains.11

Allodynia

Allodynia occurs when you experience pain from things that are normally not painful. For example, simple touch or pressure become painful. Nerves in the area touched send signals to your brain. But, your nervous system is in a heightened state. So, your brain doesn't produce the mild sensation of touch it should. Instead, it produces pain and discomfort.

Hyperalgesia

Hyperalgesia occurs when something painful is more painful than it should be. For example, a simple bump would ordinarily be mildly painful. However, if you are a chronic pain patient it might send your through the roof. Again, your nervous system is more sensitive. Of course, it produces pain that is amplified.

Other Symptoms of Central Sensitization

Central sensitivity has other characteristics. They occur less often.  For example, it can lead to heightened sensitivities across all your senses. For instance, some chronic pain patients report sensitivities to light, sounds and odors. Normal levels of light can seem too bright. Perfume can produce a headache...12 In addition, central sensitivity may cause cognitive deficits. For instance, this includes poor concentration and poor short-term memory. Also, it corresponds with increased levels of emotional distress, particularly anxiety. After all, the nervous system isn't just responsible for sensations, like pain. In addition, it produces our emotions.13 Central sensitivity can occur with chronic low back pain, chronic neck pain, whiplash injuries, headaches and more.14
Fortunately, for Chronic Pain - Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy helps break the cycle...
how does chronic pain develop central sensitivity

Local Causes

Chronic pain begins with a Local Pain or peripheral issue of some type.15 For instance, it could be an injury or surgery. Sometimes it is myofascial pain or trigger points. In a migraines, it could include pain from swelling blood vessels. Instead, in a low back pain, it could be compression of a nerve root.

In fact, the nature of the initial pain can vary greatly. Initially, the ‘Pain Felt’  is proportional to the cause.

However, if the pain is severe/and or recurs, our perception of it can change and the Pain Felt grows out of proportion.

Transition to Chronic Pain

Eventually, our recurring local pain transforms into Centralized Pain. In some cases, our pain “Brake” doesn’t work. This can lead to the all-over sensitivity of fibromyalgia. For others, our pain “Gas pedal” is stuck on. This can lead to multiple discrete painful areas without a reasonable cause. This is called Myofascial Pain Syndrome.16

Either way, we can see that less brake or more gas will feed the Runaway Pain loop. This makes another episode of Pain Felt more likely and more severe. Ultimately, this results in the transition of your episodic pain into chronic pain.

Once we have developed this type of chronic pain, many things can mess up our Brakes and Gas even more. Poor sleep interferes with your Brakes. Stress pours on the Gas.

Getting Better

Treatments that improve your Brakes and cut back on the Gas slow down the Runaway Pain loop. This will reduce our pain.

Fortunately, if you have chronic pain – myofascial trigger point therapy works!
how does chronic pain devlop syndrome central

Typically, if your pain lasts longer than six months, it’s considered chronic pain. Sometimes, pain causes other complications. These complications, in turn, can make the pain worse. A chronic pain syndrome is a vicious cycle of chronic pain and the secondary complications, making the pain worse. What are these secondary complications?

Poor Sleep

Chronic pain can lead to some common problems over time. For example, many people tend to have trouble sleeping because of pain. Then, your body doesn’t repair properly during sleep. Eventually, you may be so tired that everything starts bugging you. Also,  coping your pain gets harder too.

Some people stop working. Then, they might come to experience financial problems. Often, the stress of these problems keeps them up at night. Of course, thinking too much at night can make your sleeping problem even worse.

Social and Emotional Stress

Chronic pain can also affect the roles people have in the family. For instance, you may miss out on children’s activities, family functions, and parties with friends. As a result, many people struggle with guilt.

Unfortunately, guilt isn’t the only negative emotion associated with chronic pain. Typically, you might experience a combination of fear, irritability, anxiety and depression. In addition, they may also express a lack of direction.

Centralization

These problems are called stressors. This means that they are problems that cause stress. And, stressors can make pain worse because stress affects the nervous system. It makes the central nervous system more reactive. Then, these stressors combine with the initial pain to create central sensivity. Unfortunately, this magnifies everything and reinforces the cycle..

The vicious cycle of pain becomes clear. Chronic pain causes stressful problems. These in turn, cause stress that makes your pain worse. Finally, this combination of initial pain, other stressors and central sensitivity causes a chronic pain syndrome. There are many fancy terms for this. However, we refer to this pain as ‘centrally mediated’. This is because your central nervous system mediates your peripheral or other local pain poorly.17

Typically, severe chronic pain comes from a failure of effective central mediation…

Psychological Aspects of Chronic Pain

chronic pain research

Some researchers believe that individual psychology is significant. It may help us understand why some develop chronic pain and another doesn’t.18

Personality Types

There are two distinct personality types that are common in chronic pain patients. First, is a type with exaggerated concern over body feelings. They develop bodily symptoms in response to stress. Often, they fail to recognize their own emotional state. They may be depressed.

On the other hand, the ‘neurotic triad’ personality also expresses concern over body feelings. In addition, they develop symptoms in response to stress. However, they tend to be demanding and complaining.21 Self-esteem also shows striking improvement once pain has resolved.22

Social support has important consequences if you have chronic pain. In particular, consider pain intensity, pain control, and resiliency to pain. They are all  influenced by different levels of social support.

People with persistent pain conditions tend to rely on their social support as a coping mechanism. Therefore, they have better outcomes when they are a part of more supportive social networks.

There is a direct significant association between social activities or social support and pain. Higher levels of pain were associated with a decrease in social activities. In addition, it correlates with lower levels of social support and reduced social functioning.23

Catastrophizing may play a role in chronic pain. Pain catastrophizing is describing pain in exaggerated terms. We may think a lot more about the pain when it occurs. Lastly, we may feel more helpless about the experience.24

People who score highly on these measures are likely to rate pain as more intense. Previously it was thought the tendency to catastrophize causes this. The person experiences the pain as more intense. Maybe, they had altered anticipation and emotional responses to pain.25

Again, some aspects of catastrophization may be the product of intense pain, rather than its cause.

That is, the more intense the pain feels, the more likely one is to have catastrophic thoughts.26

What Are The Treatment Options?

From the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine:
"There are both oral and topical medications. Oral medications include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, and opioids. Topical ointments or patches are applied to the skin. We place some of these patches  on top of the painful area.  Then, the active drug, such as lidocaine, is released. Others, such as fentanyl patches, may be placed at various locations. Some medications require a prescription.
"Finally, there injections into various levels of the spinal region. For example, trigger point injections are made directly into painful muscles. Some injections involve more invasive procedures. Epidural injections are done for pain the neck/arm and back/leg. In addition, facet injections are done into the spinal facet joints. These allow you to move your neck and back. There are also injections for burning pain of the arms or legs from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (CRPS)."
What are these medications? What are some of the common side effects ?
In general, your primary physician or pharmacist may be to answer any questions about the action, dosage and side effects from these medications. For convenience, we divide commonly used medications into these broad categories:
  1. Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Acetaminophen: NSAIDs can be very effective for acute muscular and bone pain as well as some types of chronic pain syndromes. When taken for an extended period of time or in large quantities, they may have negative effects on the kidneys, clotting of blood, and gastrointestinal system. Bleeding ulcers is a risk of these medications. Long-term use of may be associated with an increase in cardiovascular heart risks.
  2. Muscle Relaxants: These medications are most effective for acute muscle spasms in chronic pain patients.
  3. Opioids: When used appropriately, opioids can be very effective for some types of pain. They tend to be less effective or require higher doses in nerve type pain. Usually, with constant severe pain, a long acting opioid is recommended. One of the most frequent side effects is constipation. In addition,  they can cause drowsiness which often gets better over time. Nausea is another side effect which may be difficult to treat and may require changing to another opioid.
What About Nerve Blocks?
Nerve blocks have a role primarily in the reducing the input of severe pain stimulus to your nervous system. That means that if your chronic pain is at least partly because of inflammation of a specific nerve or nerve root, a steriod or anesthetic block may provide temporary relief. These can help break the cycle of chronic pain but will not cure it. Most nerve block injections done on an outpatient basis. All of them may be performed under x-ray guidance. However, sometimes they are performed in the office without x-ray. Below is a brief description of some common nerve blocks:
  • Epidural Steroid injection: This an injection performed in the back or neck. It is an attempt to place some anti-inflammatory steroid close to the inflamed area causing the pain. Generally, these injections are done for pain in the back/leg or the neck/arm. They may be done under x-ray guidance.
  • Facet Joint Injection: The facet joints assist with movement of the spine both in the neck and back. Injection into these joints can provide relief of neck and back pain. These injections are always performed under x-ray guidance. A needle is placed in your neck or back and advanced in the joint under x-ray visualization. Contrast dye is used if the needle is put within the joint. Sometimes, it is also used if the injection is designed to numb the nerves to the joint. This block is often a diagnostic block. If you have significant pain relief from this injection, a more long lasting injection may done.
  • Specific nerve blocks: The pain of occipital neuralgia, for instance, can be excruciating and can become chronic. Although there may be myofascial factors underlying that pain, an anesthetic block of the occiptal nerve can provide, immediate, but temporary relief.
Nerve Blocks for Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome
  • Lumbar Sympathetic Block: A lumbar sympathetic nerve block is performed for pain in the leg of CRSP type I. Local anesthetic is placed near to the lumbar sympathetic chain in order to relieve the pain. Your leg will likely become warm immediately following the injection. However, this is an expected effect and not a complication. If it is done under x-ray, a small amount of dye is injected. This makes sure the needle is in the right spot. The the doctor will inject numbing medicine and remove the needle.
  • Stellate Ganglion Block: A stellate ganglion block is an injection for diagnosis of CRPS of the arm or hand. It is also used for treatment of pain to that area. In some cases, it can also be used to help to improve blood flow to the hand or arm. This injection is performed with or without x-ray guidance.

We respect your reluctance to take medication for a chronic condition. Often, we are concerned about side effects, addiction and other complications. Sometimes, they don't even work. Regardless, this is conversation to have with your doctor. However, medications in these two classes help many people. They might help you too.

Antidepresssants

Some of the older categories of antidepressants may be very helpful in controlling pain. Specifically, the tricyclic antidepressants such as amytriptyline can help. It has several chemical cousins. They have been used for many years in the management of migraine headaches. More recently, they been studied as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of central sensitization. These drugs may act on centrally mediated pain. In addition, they relieve pain in doses that are lower than the doses needed to treat depression. Such medications are meant to be taken taken every day whether or not you have pain. When used in novel ways, the dosages of these medications are often quite low. However, to be effective therapy with these drugs requires an MD who understands in the role of central sensitization.

Anti-seizure medications

Medications such as gabapentin, pregabalin and lamotrigine can be helpful for some kinds of nerve type pain (such as burning, shooting pain). These medications also  meant to be taken daily whether or not you feel pain. Some of these medications can cause serious side-effects. This should all be discussed with your doctor.

In our practice, we do not prescribe. We approach chronic pain from two directions. First, we are attempting to reduce some of the local or peripheral pain input. Yes, your pain is chronic and more severe because of central sensitivity.

Relieving Local Pain

However, your neck, back or knee may still have myofascial trigger points that are causing pain. Typically, doctors don't treat trigger points. In addition, we know that there is no form of medication that relieves them. Therefore, hands on therapy is the best way to reduce the myofascial component of your pain.

Reducing Central Sensitivity

Secondly, we work to reduce central sensitivity. You may be taking medication for this aspect of your pain. However, hands on treatment is relaxing and that helps. Of course, the changes we work on together to improve sleep and other lifestyle issues help. In addition, the range of self-care exercises we teach you will help. Finally, dynamic neuromuscular therapy helps by reprogramming the nervous system and muscles.

Cannabis

The role of the numerous compounds in the cannabis plant is promising but requires further study. Legalization in many states has led the US DEA to end a long standing ban and begin significant research funding. This will add to the studies being conducted in various states without federal approval and internationally. But already there are numerous studies demonstrating that some cannabis compounds are useful in managing chronic pain. However, not enough is known yet about exactly which compounds are helping or not and their side-effects. We don't know what the mechanism of action is, the preferred route of adminstration or what optimal doses might be. More information about the use of cannabis products for chronic pain can be found here.

Professional Treatment With Us

0%
OFF MONTHLY DEALS

Take some time. Treat yourself. You deserve it.

Book a treatment this month and receive 20% off a three session package.

BOOK NOW
Janet was great. FANTASTIC person who knew how to treat and deal with my conditions. Very informative. Finally, someone who knew what I was talking about.
Shilo C.
Really Good
Gini O.
It was interesting, and helpful for my IT band and hip
Osiris P.
My experience was wonderful. Janet was very kind and attentive. I felt great after my session and would recommend to try it out.
Carol M.
The lady that assisted me was awesome! I suffer from fibromyalgia and when I left I felt like a brand new person! I plan to return when I get time!
Pamala M.
Janet was great - knowledgeable and she found all my "hot spots."
Libbey P.
Seriously, if you are looking for massage therapy that actually does your body good--that changes its function for the better and actually makes pain go away--then this is the place you need to come. Not Massage Envy. Not a chiropractor. You need trigger point from knowledgeable experts in the craft.
Sara B
If your have pain in any part of your body this is the place to go. It focus on the muscles where the pain is. you will feel like a new person. Awesome will be returning. Thanks nice friendly and attentive
June D.
amazing!!!
Maria S.
I felt so much better after my appointment. Thank you and thanks for the self care tips!
Margie K.
Experienced therapist. Feel great after appointment...
Yuliya C.
Highly recommended!
Stephanie Y.
What a great experience. The provider was able to recommend things I can do to improve my pain. Address issues I didn't even share with her that she was able to tell just by her exam and treating me for what i went for. Will be back. Feeling grateful
Gayle
I spent so much money on chiropractors. This is much better. Everybody should try it out.
Polina D.
Beautiful, relaxing setting. Therapist was knowledgable and professional. I'll be going back. Thank you.
Jo Ann B.
Janet is very informative. I loved that she explained which muscles/groups she was working on. I learned a lot about my posture and why some of my muscles are not activating. She also provided me with a list of considerations and excercises to improve my posture. I will be back!
Lauren C.
Janet has a unique gift and talent in trigger point therapy. I’m definitely seeing her again!
Jan S.
I loved my experience. Janet is extremely knowledgeable in a vary wide variety of conditions. She is thorough and attentive. Makes you feel right at home!
Jess L.
It's like an hour of physical therapy (the good parts of P.T. where they massage you and stretch you). She also takes time to explain some ways to help your specific issues. Highly recommend!
Danielle S.
Janet is very knowledgeable and informative. She thoroughly explains where you have weakness and what muscles are over compensating. She gives exercises, stretches, or everyday changes you can make to help you are progress on your own. I highly recommend a visit!
Kate W.
Janet was very knowledgeable and never in a hurry. She took her time explaining every little detail, great service
Rosa V.
Felt much better after the trigger point massage, highly recommend.
Jacob A.
Excellent
Pamm

What About My Pain?

Clearly, everyone is different. Many of us have additional challenges and complications. Naturally, we tailor our treatment plans to the individual. However, there are common foundations in this work with everyone.

Fortunately, if you are having similar issues, you may find that a just few treatment sessions helps! We will identify and treat root causes of your individual case.

Clearly, everyone is different. Many of us have additional challenges and complications. Naturally, we tailor our treatment plans to the individual. However, there are common foundations in this work with everyone.

We are licensed professionals. In addition, we all have additional training and certifications in advanced techniques. For instance, this includes trigger point therapy, fascial stretching, neuromuscular and movement therapy. Also we offer kinesio taping, myofascial release, cupping, acoustic compression, self-care classes and more. In fact, we often combine several of these techniques into a single session..

Of course, no one wants chronic pain! Fortunately,  can work together with you to help sort out the issues.

Click here or all us at 630-858-0000 today to make an appointment!
More info at:  WestSubPainRelief.com
You can also take a picture of this QR code with another phone and share or view the entire article:

If reading from a pdf or printout, you will find links and videos at:  https://WestSubPainRelief.com/how-does-chronic-pain-develop-2

Or, take a picture of this QR code with your phone. You can view the article with links and videos:

2020-03-05T16:54:37-06:00

DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. West Suburban Pain Relief does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions or other information that may be mentioned on this website. Reliance on any information appearing on this website is solely at your own risk.
© Copyright 2012 -  
Don`t copy text!
Go to Top