Make Chronic Pain Less Chronic and Less Painful

"I'm not an early bird or a night owl, I'm a permanently exhausted pigeon."

Those words were spoken by an individual describing chronic pain, one of approximately 50 million adults in the U.S. who suffer from the affliction, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Chronic pain is a condition that persists for months or even years and can significantly impact an individual's quality of life. It’s not just the pain ‒ the ailment is typically “invisible” and subjective (different people have different thresholds of pain), making it often misunderstood and difficult to treat.

Each September, we recognize Pain Awareness Month to put a spotlight on pain and pain management issues. This annual observance seeks to educate the public, healthcare providers, and policymakers about the complexities of pain management and the importance of improving care, treatment, and support for those affected.

Chronic pain is different from acute pain such as a cut or sprain because of its longevity. It can occur anywhere in the body and presents itself in a number of ways, including:

• Arthritis, or joint pain
• Back pain
• Cancer pain near a tumor
• Headaches, including migraines
• Lasting pain in scar tissue
• Muscle pain all over (such as with fibromyalgia)
• Neck pain
• Neurogenic pain, from damage to the nerves or other parts of the nervous system

It interferes with daily life and can lead to depression and anxiety. The first step in treatment is to find and treat the cause. When that isn’t possible, the most effective approach is a combination of medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes.

“By using techniques that are high tech and low risk, I aim to help my patients achieve an increase in their daily function and range of motion and help restore their ability to be as pain free as possible. I want them to be able to live life to the fullest and return to creating memories with their families and friends,” said Dr. Philip Conrardy, Pain Management Physician at Watertown Regional Medical Center. 

If you suffer from chronic pain, talk to your primary care provider about a referral to the Pain Management Clinic at Watertown Regional Medical Center. If you don’t not have a primary care provider, you can find one at this link on the Watertown Regional Medical Center website or by calling 920.533.9762.

The pain management clinic is located on the first floor of the hospital at 125 Hospital Drive in Watertown. Providers at this clinic are trained to help diagnose and provide you with the most advanced pain management treatment options available, including radiofrequency ablation, spinal cord stimulator, and other interventional spine, joint injects, or regenerative medicine options. To learn more or for help obtaining a referral, call 920.262.4450 and the staff can help answer any questions you may have.

With the right course of action, you could be feeling more like “an energetic pigeon” ‒ or hopefully, even better ‒ in no time.