Neurology and Effective Pain Management

Chronic pain is characterized as pain that lasts for more than a few weeks or even years. It may stem from an injury, such as back pain or other medical conditions, including fibromyalgia, arthritis or headaches and migraines. If you suffer from chronic pain, you are probably all too familiar with the negative impact it has on your life. It is not just that you are in constant pain. Your general practitioner or chiropractor may have prescribed various medical treatments or medications, but still nothing has provided you with the effective pain management you hoped for.

Negative Impacts of Chronic Pain

Your overall quality of life suffers because your pain impacts every area of your life because not only does your body hurt, but your emotions are affected, which can make your pain worse. Your chronic pain may affect your:

• Social life or relationships with family, friends and coworkers that you rely on for support because your mood is affected by being in continual pain
• Ability to concentrate or memory that prevents you from functioning normally at school or work, which adds to the stress you may already experience from your pain
• Emotional health as constant pain can lead to depression and may lead you to try to self-medicate or develop addictions to pain prescriptions, illegal drugs or alcohol in search of relief
• Ability to exercise or take care of the simplest of household chores.

If you are suffering from any of these issues, it is time to seek help for pain management.

Seeing a Neurologist May Be the Answer

Your general practitioner or chiropractor may recommend that you see a neurologist. A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord and the nervous system. The nervous system can be very complex and if it is injured or shows signs of dysfunction, it can have a negative impact on body functions.

Neurologists do not perform surgery, but are able to diagnose the root of chronic pain, which could be a symptom of another medical condition. Once the diagnosis has been obtained through observation or diagnostic tests, the neurologist will develop a pain management program. This program may include physical therapy, rehabilitation or medication. In some cases where surgical intervention is needed, the neurologist will consult with a neurosurgeon before any major surgery is performed.

Complete Neurological Care Can Help

There is no reason to continue to suffer from chronic pain any longer. Find out how pain management can help you take control of your pain and get your life back. Call Complete Neurological Care to schedule an appointment for an accurate diagnosis of what is causing your pain and to begin a treatment plan that will help manage your pain.