September is Pain Awareness Month, which is the perfect time to take a moment to rethink how we deal with pain. From time to time, everyone has some stiffness from working hard in the yard or doing occasional heavy lifting.
It’s not unusual to hear patients say they ignored their growing pain because of the demands of their hectic lifestyle. Others tell us they were raised to believe pain is a sign of weakness. Knowing when your pain should be checked out by a professional is important.
In today’s blog post, we’ll discuss Pain Management Awareness Month and what Segura Neuroscience and Pain Center can do to help you find relief from chronic pain.
Why an Awareness Month for Chronic Pain?
Nearly 100 million people in the United States suffer from chronic pain, and this pain can cause missed days at work, the inability to partake in daily activities, and loss of mobility.
In 2001, the American Chronic Pain Association, along with a coalition of groups, determined that September would be Pain Awareness Month. Supported by 80 organizations, health care professionals as well as consumer groups, the ACPA established Partners for Understanding Pain. While it’s important to always heed any pain you may be having, the month of September, in particular, has been chosen as a time to raise public awareness about pain and pain management options.
The Neuroscience of Pain
The mechanism of pain is fairly complex and encompasses not only the brain and the nerves, but many elements within your body. When the tissue sensing nerve cells experiences a painful stimuli, they pass a message on to the brain. A very large network in the brain is activated when an injury occurs and pain is the result–one of those areas is called the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC).The dACC or ACC is generally associated with the processing of pain. Studies have shown that like a light switch with a dimmer, the ACC is responsible for not only the processing of pain but also the modulation of it.
What Can a Pain Specialist do for You?
At Segura Neuroscience and Pain Center, we treat a wide array of chronic pain conditions. When you come to Segura Neuroscience and Pain Center, physicians will take a multidisciplinary approach in assessing and treating your pain. The treatment focuses on pain management, and in addition to creating an individualized plan for you, this may include medications, physical therapy, minimally invasive and noninvasive surgical techniques.
More than a general practitioner, the pain management physicians at Segura Neuroscience and Pain Center specialize in the treatment of acute and chronic pain. Their multidisciplinary approach to solving patients’ pain problems has resulted in the successful, effective resolution of what often has been years of suffering.
How We Can Help
It’s important to know that whether you or a family member suffers from chronic pain, you aren’t alone. You don’t have to endure your pain without relief. If you aren’t sure if your pain is “bad enough” to consult with a specialist, ask your doctor. Contact us today to learn more about the modern techniques for managing chronic pain.
This website is not intended provide specific medical advice, medical diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services to you or to any other individual. Through this website and links to other websites, Segura Neuroscience & Pain Center provides general information for educational purposes only. The information provided in this site is not a substitute for medical or professional care. You should not use this information in place of the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider. Segura Neuroscience & Pain Center is not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or product you obtain through this website.