Pain is an unpleasant sensation caused by injury or disease to your body’s Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Services. This includes the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and other connective tissue. It is often associated with stiffness, swelling and a loss of mobility. The Penn Musculoskeletal Center offers the latest diagnostic techniques and surgical and non-surgical treatments for many musculoskeletal conditions.
Most people get back to normal after an injury or surgery, but some have a persistent problem called chronic pain. It may start from an injury, but it can also be a sign of an ongoing illness such as arthritis or fibromyalgia. Chronic pain can cause depression and stress, which can make your symptoms worse. This is known as a vicious cycle.
Whether your pain is acute (short-lived) or chronic, it affects how you work, play, and care for yourself and others. Pain in the musculoskeletal system can be anywhere on your body, all the time or come and go.
Injuries like bone fractures, sprains or pulled muscles can lead to musculoskeletal pain. This pain is felt when the injury activates nerve sensors in your skin, muscles or organs. These signals then travel through the spinal cord to the brain, where they tell you that something is wrong. Usually the pain stops when the injury heals or when the cause of the pain is discovered and treated.
Chronic musculoskeletal pain is different because it lasts for longer than three months. It can be constant or it may come and go. This type of pain can interfere with your day-to-day life and can be a debilitating illness. It can keep you from working, taking care of yourself and your family or friends, and even sleep well.
It is important to find ways to manage your pain so you can stay active and enjoy life. Talk to your doctor about exercise, occupational or physical therapy, and stress reduction methods. The key is to find an activity that suits you and your needs, such as low-impact exercise, a walking program or yoga. Stress-reduction techniques, such as meditation or tai chi, can also help decrease your pain and improve your ability to control it. It’s also important to continue to socialize and take part in activities that you enjoy. Isolating yourself can increase your sensitivity to pain and make it harder to cope with.
Comments are closed.