Understanding Chronic Pain Syndrome

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When Persistent Pain Begins to Take a Mental Toll

Everybody hurts at some point and often for good reason. Pain is one of the ways your body tells you that something is wrong, that you need to seek medical attention. In many instances, the cause of your pain is clear and the pain goes away after proper treatment. But that’s not always the case. Your discomfort or pain may persist long after the initial source of the hurt has been effectively addressed.

As a general rule, if the same pain stays with you for more than about three months, and the original cause of the pain has been remedied, you have a condition known as “chronic pain.” In about one of every four cases of people who experience chronic pain, the condition will develop into what is known as chronic pain syndrome, or CPS. With CPS, the consequences are more than physical—they manifest in depression and anxiety as well, wreaking havoc on your daily life.

Though medical practitioners don’t know exactly what causes CPS, they’ve found that, more often than not, it originates with a traumatic injury or painful condition. Among the most events that lead to chronic pain syndrome are:

• Back injuries or back pain
• Headaches
• Arthritis
• Sprains, strains and other muscle injuries
• Repetitive stress or motion injuries (often work-related)
• Broken bones
• Surgical procedures
• Cancer

Studies show that chronic pain syndrome can affect men and women of all ages, but that females are more likely to develop CPS. It’s also more prevalent with individuals with a history of depression or other mental health problems. Unfortunately, many people with chronic pain syndrome treat it by upping the dosage of painkillers, which can lead to chemical dependency.

Contact Us to Set Up an Appointment

Today’s the day to do something about your pain! Call Advantage Healthcare Systems toll-free at 1-866-586-1755 or fill out the form provided below to schedule an assessment. We offer locations across Texas, including Fort Worth, Dallas and San Antonio.