Chronic pain is one of the most common health conditions experienced by adults today. Recent data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that about 50 million adults in the US experienced pain lasting three months or more. Most cases of chronic pain have been attributed to neck injuries, slipped discs, or muscle strain. But apart from these health conditions, there are other, lesser-known reasons why people suffer from chronic pain. To manage or reduce pain, know about these four surprising conditions that can lead to intense pain. 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD develops when a person has experienced a dangerous or traumatic event. Abuse, sexual assault, artificial or natural disorders, and being in active combat, among others, may cause PTSD. Since a person who has PTSD may relive the terrifying ordeal through flashbacks or nightmares, this type of condition can take a toll on one’s mental health. Moreover, PTSD can also hurt physical wellness since it may cause chronic pain. 

According to a study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, 10 to 50 percent of individuals with PTSD report chronic pain. Patients with chronic pain and a history of trauma also experience symptom severity in both conditions, and this may affect their ability to function and their overall quality of life. 

To address chronic pain and PTSD, experts at Oklahoma Interventional Spine & Pain say that those suffering from both conditions should receive treatment using personalized solutions. This treatment may call for a combination of different therapies and medical techniques to address the cause of physical discomfort while reducing anxiety at the same time. A tailored treatment plan may involve taking medication like Paxil or Prozac, as these help to alleviate both PTSD and chronic pain. It may also involve steroid injections, acupuncture, physical therapy, and talk therapy, among others, depending on the severity of both conditions. 

Having a C-Section

Giving birth through a Cesarean section is safer today than it ever was before. But while most mothers come away with only a scar from the surgical procedure, others are not so lucky as they begin to experience chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) after having their baby. According to a study, the incidence of having severe acute postoperative pain after a C-section ranges between 4 percent and 41.8 percent after two to less than six months. New mothers may experience different types of pain if they have CBSP, including pain in and around the C-section scar, as well as low back pain. 

To reduce the risks of developing CPSP, expecting moms should discuss their birth plan with their doctor, especially if they are giving birth via Cesarean delivery. Proper wound care and pain management techniques should be a part of your post-delivery treatment plan in the first hours and days after surgery. Your doctor may prescribe over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen to soothe incision soreness. In some cases, they may recommend regulated medication such as perioperative ketamine if your pain does not respond to OTC meds. 

Cigarette Smoking

Besides certain health conditions, lifestyle choices may also result in persistent pain in various body parts. Poor posture, for instance, has often been pointed out as the root cause of back and neck pain. However, several studies have found that smoking is also a risk factor for chronic pain.   

A study of Finnish 16-year-olds who smoked more than nine cigarettes daily found that adolescents had a higher risk of lower back pain by the age of 18. Meanwhile, in research involving young adults in Norway, smoking in 1990 was associated with moderate or severe pain in 1994. Although some may argue that the nicotine in cigarettes produces an analgesic effect to reduce body pain temporarily, clinical evidence suggests that smokers are at a greater risk of developing chronic pain disorders that may get worse over time. 

Quitting cigarettes is one way to maintain health and wellness and prevent pain problems from worsening. It may also help to reduce back pain, tooth and gum pain, back pain, and symptoms from migraines and rheumatoid arthritis. To help you resist the urge to smoke, your healthcare provider may recommend nicotine replacement therapy to decrease cravings and reduce withdrawal symptoms. Your practitioner may recommend trying relaxation techniques to reduce stress, which often triggers smoking. 

Lack of Sleep

Lack of sleep can affect the mind and body in various ways. Not only can it increase the risks of developing health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart problems, but it may also lead to mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Now, recent studies suggest that there is a link between sleep deficiency and chronic pain.  

The research found that sleep loss can exacerbate pain, while pain can cause sleep loss — the lack of NADA in the brain attributed to this excruciating cycle. NADA, or N-arachidonoyl dopamine, controls the body’s pain perception, and researchers learned that sleep deprivation can reduce the brain’s NADA supplies. 

Getting more sleep is crucial in restoring your brain’s NADA levels, but if chronic pain is causing you to stay wide awake, it may help address the pain first to have better sleep quality. Taking a holistic approach to relieving chronic pain, such as doing yoga, acupuncture, getting enough exercise, and therapeutic massage, helps reduce body pain. As a bonus, all these treatments can help you to relax and de-stress so your mind and body calm down and engage your ability to fall asleep quickly. 

Some health conditions, medical procedures, and lifestyle choices can lead to the development of chronic pain. If you experience persistent and intense body pain, make sure to seek help from a pain specialist to address it. Making lifestyle adjustments to reduce pain severity and improve your overall well-being is essential.