Chronic Pain Clinic Directory
Chronic pain can have a variety of sources. Some people develop chronic pain that relates to the wear and tear of the body or to developmental or ageing processes (e.g., arthritis, scoliosis stenosis, spondylolithesis, spondylosis). Others have chronic pain from various types of cancer, advanced-stage HIV, or other chronic medical illnesses. In some cases the chronic pain may stem from an injury incurred during an accident or an assault. Medical providers have a difficult time ascertaining the accuracy of patients' pain severity. Care providers generally assess chronic pain by administering physical examinations and having patients perform various tasks, such as exercises that help the provider evaluate the patient's strength, flexibility, and reflexes. Yet, because every person is different and perceives and experiences pain in different ways, it is difficult for medical providers to determine how much pain an individual is experiencing. In addition, health care providers usually base their determination of pain severity on their own perceptions of how much pain seems appropriate for a given injury or pain condition. There is often very little consistency between providers regarding the measurement of their patients' pain. This creates obvious frustration for providers, but this can be even more exasperating for the individual who is suffering from chronic pain. It is common for patients to be disbelieved, or to have the level of their pain or disability minimized. Many times, this frustration causes patients to go from provider to provider, in search of answers and relief from their pain. Additionally, this kind of experience often contributes to an increased sense of helplessness and despair, which can subsequently increase tension and pain, as well as emotional distress.
