Chronic pain is defined as pain lasting longer than six months, occurring anywhere in the body and caused by various factors. It impacts all aspects of life, including physical and emotional well-being.
Causes of Chronic Pain
Chronic pain can result from various factors, including physical injury, emotional imbalance, or illness.
Common types of chronic pain include neck and shoulder pain, lower back pain, headaches, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome. In some cases, the cause of chronic pain remains unknown.
Symptoms of Chronic Pain
The symptoms of chronic pain can vary from person to person, depending on the cause and location of the pain. Some common symptoms of chronic pain include:
- Aching, shooting, or burning pain
- Stiffness and limited mobility
- Fatigue and exhaustion
- Depression and anxiety
- Sleep disturbances
- Reduced appetite
How Chronic Pain Can Affect Life
Chronic pain can profoundly affect a person’s life, impacting physical health, emotional well-being, and relationships. It may contribute to depression and anxiety, making daily tasks challenging. Additionally, it can disrupt work and social activities, often leading to isolation and loneliness.
Chronic pain can strain relationships with family and friends, as it may be hard for others to grasp the severity of the pain and its impact on daily life, often resulting in frustration and resentment.
Research findings
Acupuncture has been used for managing chronic pain.
A review of four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) found that acupuncture could help manage chronic pain. Evidence also suggests that acupuncture is safe if performed by a certified acupuncturist.
Furlan et al., 2017: Acupuncture was more effective than no treatment or usual care for chronic low back pain.
Wang et al., 2017: Acupuncture was more effective than no treatment, sham acupuncture, or usual care for chronic knee pain.
Li et al., 2017: Acupuncture was more effective than no treatment, sham acupuncture, or usual care for chronic headaches, including migraines and tension-type headaches.
Manheimer et al., 2017: Acupuncture was more effective than no treatment, sham acupuncture, or usual care for chronic shoulder pain.
These findings suggest that acupuncture may be a valuable modality for managing chronic pain, particularly for conditions like low back pain, neck pain, knee pain, headaches, and shoulder pain.
However, individual results may vary depending on the specific type of pain being treated.
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