Unlike the pain acute (protection pain), the chronic pain from its original function and replaced exists independently. The nerve cells register pain to the brain, which are not. Eleven million people suffer in Germany alone among these recurring pain.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is a pathological assert its independence of nerve impulses. From a “assert its independence” is when the pain remains – even after the cause of pain is resolved.
An example: A nerve cell sends a serious injury after a very long pain impulses to the brain. This is changing their metabolism. If the injury finally healed, so no appeal is available, the cell can no longer continue off and sends pain impulses: The cell has developed a pain memory.
Besides lengthy illnesses may include environmental factors such as stress or weather changes trigger chronic pain or strengthen.
How can the failure of the nerve cell stop? There are two possibilities:
The perception of pain patients will be changed
The pain management is adjourned
That is his face
The most common forms of chronic pain:
Back pain (for example, after a herniated disc)
Rheumatic pain (for example, arthritis, fibromyalgia)
Degenerative pain (for example, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis)
Headache (for example migraine)
Neuralgia (for example shingles)
Tumor pain (including brain tumors, bone metastases)
Phantom pain (for example, after an amputation)
So it can be treated
The treatment of chronic pain should be due to the complex disease not only physical but also emotional and social aspects.
Drugs are often the basis for a duration of treatment. Not infrequently stands at the beginning of treatment, however, a withdrawal of medication, for chronic might be responsible.
Other treatment options:
Nerve blockade
Implantable pain pumps for continuous delivery of medication
Regional Anesthesia
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS): irritation of the nerve structures through the creation of current pulses on the skin. By this measure is the body’s own Schmerzhemmsystem activated.
Acupuncture
Physiotherapy to strengthen or discharge of muscle groups
Movement Therapy
Behavioral, such as stress management training
Car Training
Even a change of habits, for example, a balanced diet or a change of job, the pain can positively affect everyday life.