Management of chronic pain

Abstract

As the prevalence of chronic pain rises year by year, the prices related to its management increase as well. The literature describes chronic pain being the pain that persists after healing, or that exists within the absence of tissue harm (Hylands-White et al., 2017). Based on ICD 11, chronic pain has been classified into eight divisions. A review of multiple epidemiological studies of pain prevalence in numerous populations states that musculoskeletal pain, particularly joint and back pain, is the most prevalent type of chronic pain (Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Advancing Pain Research, Care, and Education, 2011). "OLDCARS" (Onset, Location, Duration, Character, Alleviation/Aggravation, Radiation, Temporal pattern, Symptoms associated) acronym is frequently utilized to assess pain history (Hall, 2020). Evaluating a patient with chronic pain is a process that requires a systematic approach (Hall, 2020). Most commonly in the clinical setting, the physical exam for chronic pain evaluation is focused and targeted to the systems of interest (Hall, 2020). Understanding the temporal character of pain includes assessing the duration, chronicity, and pattern of pain (Fillinim et al., 2016). The acceptable initial therapeutic strategy for chronic pain depends upon a correct analysis of the reason for the pain and also the type of chronic pain syndrome. The overarching approach to pain management should reflect the biopsychosocial nature of chronic pain, generally requiring a multidimensional treatment strategy. The non-pharmacological approach of managing chronic pain includes exercise therapy, psychoeducational interventions, mind-body therapies, and physical interventions, whereas pharmacologic treatment consists of a wide array of medications. Management of chronic pain needs to address all of the unpleasant physical and psychological conditions that lead to pain.