Chronic pain is persistent pain that never seems to go away. It is defined as pain that has not gone away or recurs frequently over a six-month period. While the pain may not be constant, it is the dominant fact of life for many chronic pain sufferers. According to the American Medical Association,

Today, pain is one of the most common reasons Americans seek medical treatment, with back pain as the leading reason. An estimated 26 million Americans between the ages of 20-64 visit their doctor because they are experiencing frequent back pain. Other common painful conditions include: Arthritis Fibromyalgia Osteoarthritis Knee

During the first level, your pain specialist will offer conservative treatment options. These treatment options will include rest and nutrition, exercise and physical therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), and cognitive and behavioral modification. Basic therapies are the first step

If your pain does not respond to conservative approaches, a second line of therapy may be needed. The therapies offered in the second level can be used in conjunction with level 1 treatment. Tanscutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) A TENS unit is an external stimulation device that sends

When pain persists after Level 1 and 2 therapies have been tried, your pain specialist may recommend more complex treatment options. Relieving stubborn, chronic pain may take time and patience, and your pain specialist may need to try multiple treatments to find the most effective solution for your

When describing pain, the types will fall into three categories: Nociceptive Pain, Neuropathic Pain and Mixed Pain. Depending on the type of pain you are experiencing, your pain specialist will be able to create an appropriate treatment plan for relieving your pain and restoring your normal lifestyle.

When you experience pain, it is your body's natural response to actual or potential damage. In other words, your body is protecting you—even when it might feel like it isn't. The feeling of pain is triggered when special nerve endings, called pain receptors, cause electrical signals to be sent to the