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From the Literature: Chronic Pain
Read about some of the latest research studies on chronic pain.
Direct your patients to this site for an easy-to-read overview of chronic pain. The site discusses how chronic pain may be treated, including medicines such as pain relievers, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants, both short-term and long-acting; and also discusses physical therapy, low-impact exercise, occupational therapy, and behavioral therapy. The site also recommends lifestyle changes and provides an extensive list of some common chronic pain conditions.
Chronic Pain Support Group
With a pastel purple background color, this site welcomes chronic pain sufferers in obtaining some key knowledge on chronic pain, specifically focusing on how to cope, what the definition of chronic pain is, and the impact of chronic pain. An article on pain and depression explains that “depression is sometimes a serious side effect of chronic pain.” Likewise, it states that “interaction is key.” Guests can become members and chat on message boards to receive support from other members.
Diagnosing Chronic Pain — About.com
Your patients may become more familiar with typical diagnostic tests associated with chronic pain from visiting this site. The page focuses on tests for back pain, neuropathic pain, headache pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and more.
Chronic Pain — Ohio State University Medical Center
The Ohio State University Medical Center provides an outline of chronic pain that includes a definition, an overview of the different types of chronic pain, the causes, treatments, rehabilitation options, and more. Discussed on the page is the “terrible triad,” which is described as occurring when the condition “may cause a person to become preoccupied with the pain, depressed, and irritable.” All of the above may lead to “depression and irritability” along with insomnia, and weariness, that leads to even more depression and irritability. “This state is called the "terrible triad" of suffering, sleeplessness, and sadness.”
