Tremendous differences in pain can occur between individuals over time in a single individual. Because of this, a particular injury may result in anything from total numbness to continuous disabling pain. It is frequently severe enough to limit a person's activity and make it difficult to function at work or at home. To further complicate matters, a variety of psychological and behavioral changes occur in patients with long-standing pain. Treatment decisions at all of the Southeast Pain Care Centers are based on the relative severity of each of these areas.
Chronic pain can occur long after nerve and tissue damage has apparently healed.
It is a problem caused by pain nerves incorrectly telling the brain that a severe injury is occurring. The result is severe pain without an injury to cause it. Nonetheless, the pain signals sent to the brain make the PAIN VERY REAL to the person experiencing it. Specific treatments are available. Chronic pain is very unpleasant.