Chronic pain syndrome
What is chronic pain syndrome?
Pain is the body’s protective reaction, signaling a pathological condition. If it lasts longer than three months, it may be considered chronic pain. The initial cause of the pain is often already gone by that time, but the so-called pain memory remains in the nervous system.
Chronic pain is often accompanied by other symptoms – fatigue, loss of appetite, sleep disturbances, and mood disorders. Over a longer period, weight loss, reduced work capacity, and depression may occur. Understanding whether pain is a cause or a consequence is often not straightforward. If the development of pathological changes has been halted or the disease has been cured, but the pain continues for a long time afterward, it may be considered as a separate disease.
Several global studies have shown a link between traumatic events in childhood, such as abuse, neglect, or a dysfunctional home, and the development of chronic pain later in life.
Traditionally, pain has been treated primarily as a physical problem, using medications, physical therapy, or in extreme cases, surgery. Although these methods can be effective in certain cases, they also have moderate to severe negative consequences, including surgical complications and dependence on painkillers and opioids.
Nowadays, it is increasingly understood that pain can also be addressed on psychological and social levels. While each person’s pain is different and can be triggered in different ways, there are methods that help manage the symptoms of chronic pain.
