Understanding pain: Types of chronic pain

Chronic pain has always been a mystery in medicine. As much as we have advanced in the field, there are still some causes that healthcare practitioners have difficulty understanding. This simply shows that there is much work to be done when it comes to knowing all there is to know about pain. As for regular people, chronic pain is a health concern that is rarely talked about. To shed some light on the situation, here are two types of chronic pain and their causes.

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Nociceptive pain is a type of chronic pain that is caused by a damaged body tissue. This pain is commonly described as sharp, aching, or a throbbing pain. One of the most common causes of nociceptive pain is a benign pathology. Another cause is the growth of tumors or cancer cells which crowd the body and push other internal organs away from their original place. It can also be caused by the spread of cancer to the bones, joints, or muscles, which then causes blockages.

Neuropathic pain is a type of chronic pain caused by actual nerve damage. Nerves are spread throughout the body and connect to the spinal column and our brain. Neuropathic pain is often described as a burning or heavy sensation or a form of numbness around the affected area. This pain can be caused by a nutritional imbalance, alcoholism, toxins, infections, and auto-immune diseases. Cancer can also trigger neuropathic pain.

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The most common area that experiences chronic pain is the back. This is due to several illnesses, as well as injuries. These illnesses include degenerative disc disease, epidural fibrosis, failed back surgery syndrome, arachnoiditis, lumbar disc herniation, and osteoporosis.

Dr. Karl Jawhari has been published in Dallas newspapers and appeared on CBS and local channel television shows to discuss innovative solutions to chronic pain and their reviews. Read more on this Facebook page.