Home Remedies and Herbs for Pain, Chronic

Chronic pain is usually defined as pain lasting for longer than 12 weeks. This is as opposed to acute pain, which comes on suddenly and typically results from an injury. Because chronic pain can persist for months or even years, it is typically an indicator of an underlying medical condition. ¹Chronic pain is difficult for doctors to diagnose because it doesn’t always have an obvious source.

Because chronic pain differs from patient to patient and only they can feel it, it isn’t easy to know the exact chronic pain causes. Chronic pain can come and go, or it can worsen over time. Chronic pain management practices are important for improving quality of life when the cause of chronic pain is unknown. Pain management can be achieved through a number of chronic pain natural treatments.

What Causes Chronic Pain?

There are countless causes of chronic pain. People experience chronic pain for many different reasons. But chronic pain rarely occurs for no reason. There is virtually always an underlying condition at play that is causing the chronic pain. Figuring out what’s causing it can be difficult, especially if the person has no known medical history or previous injuries. ¹²Possible chronic pain causes and contributors include: ²

• Tissue damage
• Muscle strains and sprains
• Injuries that didn’t heal properly
• Gastrointestinal or urinary disorders
• Psychological disorders
• Past traumas that manifest as chronic pain
• Arthritic conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
• Poor posture such as from working at a desk all day

Chronic Pain Symptoms

Chronic pain symptoms may present in several locations on the body including: ³

• Neck and shoulders
• Back
• Lower back
• Hips
• Abdomen
• Hands and wrists
• Knees

• Dull aching
• Sharp twinge
• Cramping
• Throbbing, stinging or burning
• Tingling or numbness

Chronic pain often goes hand in hand with other symptoms like fatigue, loss of appetite, unintentional weight loss, poor sleep and even mood changes. Depression is commonly associated with chronic pain because it can be so debilitating that it prevents people from performing their usual activities. ¹ There are several chronic pain natural treatments that can help manage painful symptoms so you can improve your quality of life.

References

1. https://medlineplus.gov/magazine/issues/spring11/articles/spring11pg5-6.html
2. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/
3. http://www.mayoclinic.org/understanding-pain/art-20208632