Chronic Pain: Assessment, Diagnosis, and Management

Online, March 10, 2010 (Newswire.com) - In medical terms, chronic pain is also referred to as persistent pain. Chronic pain is usually associated with various organs of your body. Some patients who suffer from chronic pain suffer from depression as well. Studies explain that 85-90% of patients who suffer from chronic pain, experience both depression and pain.

Chronic pain is very often an organic warning signal and should be given immediate medical attention. People with chronic pain require earlier assessment, diagnosis and better management plans for the treatment to be effective. Physicians conduct a detailed assessment to detect the location of the pain, intensity, how it is developed, quality, duration and relieving factors. Moreover, this evaluation brings out the history of depression and other psychopathology factors that affect the perception of pain. Certain body systems such as the musculoskeletal system and nervous system, especially the spine, require special attention to reveal the history.

For diagnosis and treatment, it is necessary to follow either neurological exams or diagnostic tests such as nerve and muscle tests, blood and urine tests and imaging tests based on the patient's chronic pain symptoms and history. In the general medical setting, numerous FDA approved tools are available to conduct diagnostic tests.

Chronic pain must be carefully managed to minimize and relieve it. In the healthcare industry, excellent chronic pain management modalities are available to treat chronic pain with appropriate care. Painless and effective non-invasive treatment is proved to be the best treatment plan for chronic pain. It includes a variety of therapies such as physical therapy and massage therapy, alternative therapy such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), injection therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy for combating chronic pain and restructuring one's life by restoring functions. Self management treatment plans including massage, relaxation and medication, are also available to manage pain.

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