The Cycle of Chronic Pain

The Cycle of Chronic Pain

Do you suffer from chronic or long-term pain?  Then you are not alone.  A study in the British Medical Journal found that approximately 43% of the UK population live with chronic pain.  The authors of this study also concluded the following:
  • Approximately 14% of people are living with chronic pain that is either moderately or severely disabling. 
  • Chronic pain is more prevalent in females.
  • The prevalence of chronic pain increases with age, with approximately 62% of adults over the age of 75 experiencing some form of chronic pain. 
Pain is generally regarded as chronic or long-term when it lasts for more than 3 months.  Your pain could be anything from lower back pain, neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain or knee pain, to a global pain condition such as fibromyalgia. 

Wherever you experience your symptoms, chronic or long-term pain can impact every area of your life.  Check out this picture on the cycle of chronic pain which details the different areas of your life that pain can start to affect.
How many of these areas impact you?  You may not have noticed the changes initially because these factors can happen gradually over time.  You also may not have associated them with being a factor of your pain. 

Understanding and acceptance are the first steps in the successful management of chronic pain conditions.  Check out our blog on Understanding Chronic Pain for further details.
Key Message:

A large portion of the UK population experience chronic pain, you are not alone.  This pain can start to affect a multitude of different areas of your life.  Physiotherapy can help with the management of both your chronic pain and these associated factors. 

If you would like further advice on how to manage both your chronic pain and these associated factors, give us a call on 07702 847036 and speak directly to a Senior Chartered Physiotherapist or click the ‘Book Online’ button to make an appointment.  Both virtual video and in-clinic appointments are available.

The Nebula Physio and Wellbeing Team
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