Local doctors say chronic pain management starts with finding the root cause

Local medical professionals are urging residents living with chronic pain to stop viewing treatment as a binary choice between enduring discomfort and relying on strong medication. Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, stated that identifying the specific source of the pain is the primary step in creating an effective treatment plan. She noted that pain can stem from damaged muscles, injured tissue, nerve issues, or a nervous system that has become overly sensitive.

Rogers emphasized that the diagnosis dictates the therapy. Once the origin is identified, options such as targeted movement and stretching become viable alternatives to pharmaceutical interventions. She cautioned that inflammation often exacerbates the condition. Patients are advised to look for the source of any inflammation present, as that is a key factor in making the pain worse.

Sleep quality is another area Rogers said patients frequently neglect. She explained that while pain often interferes with sleep, achieving good rest can actually help alleviate the discomfort. She told patients that if they can reach a point of good sleep, it provides a tangible benefit to pain management.

Aging expert Amy O’Rourke shared her own experience with chronic back pain, which began around age 50. She spent years returning to a chiropractor for adjustments. Eventually, her provider suggested she might be better off stopping certain activities that contributed to the pain. His recommendations included quitting high heels, using an ergonomic cushion at her workstation, and stopping her running routine.

O’Rourke said she appreciated the advice on what to avoid. She also consulted a physiatrist, a type of sports medicine doctor, for a hip issue. The doctor observed that walking up and down stairs aggravated the problem. He taught her to sleep on her side with a pillow placed between her legs. O’Rourke reported that she no longer experiences pain in that area.

Gerontologist Sam Cradduck recounted injuring her lower back in her 20s. She was offered surgery but declined the procedure. Another doctor provided a simple mechanical adjustment, telling her to push her car seat further up. Cradduck listed several other non-surgical options for pain relief, including acupuncture, dry needling, chiropractic care, cognitive behavior therapy, and massage therapy. She also described the use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation units, machines designed to treat muscle pain and loosen tight muscles. Rogers noted that several aesthetics clinics also use similar devices to increase blood flow and improve mobility.

Aging well coach Katherine Ambrose highlighted the role of deconditioning in chronic pain. She explained that when people stop working out, they lose strength. This weakness can trigger a cascade of issues that make pain more pronounced. Movement is critical because it increases blood flow. Rogers agreed, noting that people often become stiff when they are not moving. She stated that physical activity makes the body function more easily.

O’Rourke added that physical therapy can help work the muscles surrounding an injury. This process provides support while the area heals. Cradduck also advised patients not to fear medication out of an excessive worry about addiction. She said she has observed 95-year-olds who had hip replacements but declined prescribed medication because they were afraid of becoming dependent.

The goal of treatment is not always to reach zero pain. Cradduck said the focus should be on how much pain a person can manage while still living a normal life. She advised that pain only becomes a major concern when it interferes with daily living. Ambrose added that people often accept pain as a natural part of aging, which is not always the case.