What causes chronic pain?
By definition, chronic pain is pain lasting longer than about 12 weeks. It might occur as a result of a personal injury or numerous other health conditions. Possible causes of chronic pain include:
- Whiplash from an auto accident
- Head, neck, or back injuries
- Other personal injuries
- Nerve pain
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Bone fractures
- Knee, ankle, and other joint injuries
Regardless of whether your pain is chronic or acute (short-lived), seeing a medical provider to determine the cause and establish an appropriate treatment is important. If you’ve been in an automobile or other accident, getting assessed early is crucial to optimize recovery and document injuries for insurance purposes.
How is chronic pain treated?
The treatment for chronic pain that best matches your needs depends on what’s causing the pain and how severe it is. When you arrive at PTCare, your provider goes over your medical and accident history and completes a physical examination.
They may also recommend imaging tests, such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans, to diagnose specific injuries. Your individualized treatment plan might include:
Physical therapy
Your provider may recommend physical therapy to ease chronic pain and prevent future injuries with strengthening and stretching exercises.
Laser/Ultrasound therapy
Your provider uses laser or ultrasound therapy, light or high-frequency sound waves, to promote tissue healing and ease pain caused by injuries.
Interferential electrical nerve stimulation
During interferential nerve stimulation, your provider uses low-frequency electrical stimulation to enhance healing and ease pain.
Other conservative treatments
In addition to the conservative treatments mentioned above, your provider might also suggest other noninvasive treatments for chronic pain. Examples include massage, dry needling, ComforTrac traction, and heat or ice therapy.
Medications or injections
In some cases, oral or topical medications or injections are necessary to ease pain, help your muscles relax, improve sleep quality, or decrease inflammation.
Surgery
Surgery is a last resort for pain management but might be a good option if less invasive treatments have failed.
This article presents only educational material and should not be taken as a substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Before following any advice found here or in other medical instructional materials, please consult with your doctor.
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What Are Auto Accident Injuries?
If you’ve been in an automobile accident, you might experience the following injuries: Concussion, headache, or other head injury, Neck, shoulder & Spinal injuries , Chronic pain, Leg and foot injuries, Arm and wrist injuries, Whiplash, Bone fractures, and/or Soft tissue damage
Who Pays for My Medical Bills?
Generally, there are three ways your medical bills can be paid if you are injured in an accident in the State of Colorado.
Why Hurt Any Longer when
PTCare Mobile is here to help YOU?
Whether you were in a car accident last week or last year, PTCare can help lessen your pain. We have the know-how to help you get out of pain, restore your function, and put that episode in your life behind you.
Call us now to take the next step on your road to recovery!