Pain can typically be categorized into four different types; acute, chronic, neuropathic, and nociceptive. Acute pain refers to pain that comes on suddenly and is short-term, only lasting around 3 to 6 months at most, and will go away once the cause of the pain is treated. Tissue injuries are the most common cause of acute pain. If the pain lasts for longer than 6 months and/or persists after the cause of the pain (in cases of an injury-causing pain) has been treated and fully healed, the pain can be classified as chronic. It is common for chronic pain to not ever be fully cured but can often be sufficiently managed through the support of a chronic pain specialist. Chronic pain can vary quite a bit in severity but commonly fluctuates in intensity and can be caused by several factors.

Neuropathic pain includes pain that is caused by damage or a dysfunction within the nervous system, causing the affected nerves to misfire pain signals, and seemingly occurring without a clear reason such as an injury. Neuropathic pain is often a symptom of an underlying health condition and can cause increased sensitivity to factors that would typically not elicit a pain response such as contact with clothing or cold air.

Nociceptive pain can be classified as either chronic or acute, as well as visceral or somatic, and occurs with the presence of an injury or inflammation. Visceral nociceptive pain is experienced within the organs, often being difficult to determine the exact source of the pain but occurs as a result of injury or damage to an internal organ. Somatic nociceptive pain includes pain that is experienced from damage or injury to tissues, such as the muscles, joints, bones, ligaments, and skin, making somatic pain generally easier to pinpoint than visceral pain.

Patients will typically be referred to a physician who specializes in pain management for two reasons; either they have been experiencing the pain for more than 3 to 6 months (making it chronic pain) or the pain is significantly affecting the daily functioning and quality of life of the patient. The pain doesn’t need to be classified as chronic before being referred to a specialist, but that is a common indicator that more specialized care is required to provide the patient with pain relief.

While there are many conditions where the pain is the condition itself, there are also many other health conditions that cause chronic pain as one of the primary symptoms, including any pain that persists for longer than 3 months due to the health condition. All types of arthritis are some of the most common causes of chronic pain as arthritis causes the affected joints to swell and stiffen, causing immense pain in many patients. Other common pain conditions include fibromyalgia, peripheral myopathy, complex regional pain syndrome, and some spinal conditions such as sciatica, an injury that causes whiplash, and degenerative disc disease. Cancer is a type of health condition that is not directly a pain condition but commonly causes chronic pain in patients.

The initial appointment with a pain specialist will typically include obtaining a medical history, family medical history, list of symptoms, medications, previous treatments, and any other relevant information to provide the physician with a clear idea of the severity and location of the pain to best diagnose potential causes. Once potential causes have been identified, a course of treatment can be developed. Many different methods of pain management are recommended depending on the cause and type of pain as well as the preferences and lifestyle of the patient. This initial appointment will typically involve the patient and pain specialist working together to determine a personalized course of treatment and pain management that best suits the needs and preferences of the patient (such as if holistic approaches are preferable over medications, for example). This appointment will also include a discussion regarding the goals and realistic expectations that can be achieved through the recommended treatment plan.

At Specialty Medical Center, our medical team consists of several different specialties, ensuring that all of our patients have a trusted physician by their side to manage their pain and provide personalized treatment plans. We serve patients from Sterling Heights MI, Dearborn MI, Detroit MI, Birmingham MI, Allen Park MI, Warren MI, and BEYOND!