While pain is a natural part of the healing process after an illness, injury, or surgery, it can become a condition in its own right. This can happen when the pain becomes more intense or lasts longer than expected, or when it has no clear cause. When pain gets to that point, it requires its own specific intervention and treatment.
Pain specialists at the Pain Management Center at McLaren Greater Lansing believe that, with an accurate diagnosis, pain can be eliminated or effectively managed.
“Patients experiencing pain, whether from an illness or injury, can be life-changing and can affect your overall activity level and lifestyle,” said Douglas Bez, DO, physician at the Pain Management Center at McLaren Greater Lansing. “Our goal is to get our patients back to doing the things they love to do.”
Pain can often be categorized into five main types, but some experiences can fit into more than one.
Acute pain
Acute pain is relatively short in duration, lasting from minutes to as long as six months. Acute pain also tends to be related to a soft-tissue injury or a temporary illness, so it typically subsides after the injury heals or the illness subsides. Acute pain from an injury may evolve into chronic pain if the injury doesn’t heal correctly or if the pain signals malfunction.
Chronic pain
Chronic pain is longer in duration and can be intermittent or constant. For example, headaches can be considered chronic pain when they continue over many months or years – even if the pain isn’t always present. Chronic pain is often due to a health condition, like arthritis, fibromyalgia, or a spine condition.
Neuropathic pain
Neuropathic pain is due to damage to the nerves or other parts of the nervous system. It is often described as shooting, stabbing, or burning pain, or it feels like pins and needles. It can also affect sensitivity to touch and can make someone have difficulty feeling hot or cold sensations. Neuropathic pain is a common type of chronic pain. It may be intermittent, but can also be so severe that it is difficult to perform everyday tasks. Because pain can interfere with normal movement, it can also lead to mobility issues. This is often seen in people who have chronic conditions such as diabetes.
“Diabetic neuropathy occurs when the nerves become damaged from uncontrolled high blood sugar levels in the body,” said Dr. Bez. “It is the most common complaint I see with our diabetic patients.”
Nociceptive pain
Nociceptive pain is caused by damage to body tissue. It is often described as a sharp, achy, or throbbing pain. This type of pain is caused by an external injury. For example, if you hit your elbow, stub your toe, twist your ankle, or fall and scrape up your knee, you may feel nociceptive pain. This type of pain is often experienced in the joints, muscles, skin, tendons, and bones. It can be both acute and chronic.
Radicular pain
Radicular pain occurs when a spinal (sciatic) nerve gets compressed or inflamed. It’s commonly known as sciatica. This type of pain, known as radiculopathy, radiates from the back and hip into the leg(s), and is often constant and steady. Symptoms associated with radicular pain are tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness. Activities like walking and sitting can make sciatica worse.
“Pain is unique to each person, so every plan of care is tailored to the patients’ needs,” said Dr. Bez.
Pain Management physicians not only look for a solution to relieve current pain but also find the source of the problem. They can often help people who suffer from pain due to conditions like:
- Back pain, both upper and lower
- Neck pain
- Joint pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Headaches
- Cancer pain
- Pain caused by injury
- Diabetic neuropathy
How Is Pain Diagnosed?
During a pain consultation, your doctor will ask you:
- Questions about the location, duration, and severity of your pain
- How the pain is impacting your everyday activities
- To describe your emotional well-being
- To keep a pain diary documenting pain occurrence throughout the day
Only you know the degree of your pain, so being able to articulate the kind of pain you are experiencing is key for your doctor to determine how to move forward with care.
Additionally, patients will have a physical examination, and do any diagnostic testing needed such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans, along with a psychological review.
If you or your loved one has been suffering from pain that impacts your life, talk to your primary care provider about a referral to the Pain Management Center at McLaren Greater Lansing.
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