5 Common Types of Chronic Pain

Living with pain that doesn’t go away can be an isolating and frustrating experience. While acute pain is a normal signal that your body has been injured, chronic pain is different. It’s defined as pain that persists for more than three months, and it can significantly impact your quality of life, making it difficult to work, sleep, or enjoy daily activities.

Understanding the source of your discomfort is the first step toward finding relief. Millions of Americans deal with chronic pain, and it comes in many forms, each with its own causes and symptoms. Gladiator Therapeutics will explore some of the most common types of chronic pain and introduce a way to help manage the discomfort associated with them.

5 Common Types of Chronic Pain

Chronic pain isn’t a single condition but a broad category of different ailments. Recognizing the specific type of pain you’re experiencing can help you and your healthcare provider find the most effective treatment plan.

1. Arthritis

Arthritis involves inflammation of one or more joints, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling. Two of the most prevalent forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. 

• Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time. 
• Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system attacks its own joint tissues, causing widespread inflammation.

2. Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most widespread health issues, often affecting the lower back. It can stem from various causes, including muscle strains from improper lifting, disc problems like herniation, or conditions like spinal stenosis, where the spinal canal narrows. While some back pain resolves with time, it can become a chronic issue that limits mobility and disrupts daily life.

3. Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a complex condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbances, and memory issues. The pain is often described as a constant dull ache. While the exact cause is unknown, it’s believed to involve the way the brain and spinal cord process pain signals, amplifying painful sensations.

4. Headaches

Persistent or recurring headaches, such as migraines and tension headaches, are a common form of chronic pain. Migraines often cause severe, throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head, and can be accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Tension headaches, on the other hand, typically cause a constant, dull ache on both sides of the head.

5. Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain results from damage or dysfunction within the nervous system. This can lead to shooting, burning, or stabbing sensations, and it can be particularly challenging to treat. 

Conditions like diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage from diabetes) and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) fall into this category. The pain signals are not triggered by an outside injury but by the nerves themselves malfunctioning.

Managing Chronic Pain with Gladiator Therapeutics

Finding a reliable way to manage chronic pain is essential for regaining your quality of life. Gladiator Therapeutics offers far infrared devices designed to provide temporary relief from minor muscle and joint pain, stiffness, and arthritis-related discomfort.

Our devices work by delivering soothing, non-invasive far-infrared energy to the body. This gentle energy helps to temporarily increase local circulation where applied, which can relax muscles and ease discomfort. They are designed to be a convenient, easy-to-use part of your daily pain management routine, allowing you to target specific areas of discomfort from the comfort of your home. The benefits include a non-pharmaceutical option for managing pain, which can be a valuable addition to your overall wellness strategy.

Take the Next Step in Pain Management

Chronic pain doesn’t have to control your life. By understanding its source and exploring effective management strategies, you can find a path toward relief. If you’re dealing with one of the most common types of chronic pain, it’s worth considering all your options.

Contact us today to learn more about how Gladiator Therapeutics’ far-infrared devices can help you manage your discomfort and improve your daily well-being.