Chronic Pain Isn't In Your Head
Living every day in pain can be debilitating. Imagine waking up each morning already exhausted—not because you didn't sleep, but because your pain kept you tossing and turning all night. Your back aches the moment your feet hit the floor. You grip the bathroom sink for support while brushing your teeth, and getting dressed feels like running a marathon. Driving to work takes every ounce of concentration, not just because of traffic but because your joints throb with every turn. Meetings blur as you shift in your seat, trying to find a less painful position. By the time you get home, you're too sore to cook dinner, too drained to enjoy time with family, and overwhelmed by the idea of another night spent battling discomfort.
This is what daily life can feel like if you're living with chronic pain but it doesn't have to stay this way.
The Serious Impact of Living With Chronic Pain
Chronic pain doesn't just hurt your body. It reshapes your life in ways most people never see.
Physical Decline from Chronic Pain
- Pain discourages movement, leading to muscle atrophy, joint stiffness, and reduced endurance.
Emotional Strain from Chronic Pain
- Constant discomfort takes a toll on mental health, often triggering depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal.
Sleep Disruption from Chronic Pain
- Pain can make it difficult for you to fall asleep or stay asleep, leaving you fatigued and foggy during the day.
Career Limitations from Chronic Pain
- Reduced mobility, frequent doctor visits, and cognitive distraction can affect work performance and job retention.
Strained Relationships from Chronic Pain
- Chronic pain can make you less active, irritable, or dependent on others, placing stress on personal and family dynamics.
Meet our Physiatry Experts
Top 5 Most Common Chronic Pain Conditions
1. Chronic Back Pain
Lower back pain can stem from degenerative disc disease, where the discs between vertebrae lose their cushioning, or herniated discs that press on nerves. Strains, poor posture, or conditions like arthritis and spinal stenosis also contribute.
Symptoms of Chronic Back Pain:
Dull or Sharp Pain in Your Lower Back
- This can feel like a constant ache or a sudden stabbing pain that worsens with movement.
Stiffness or Reduced Flexibility
- You may struggle to bend, twist, or stand upright after sitting or sleeping.
Radiating Pain into the Buttocks or Legs
- This often signals nerve involvement, such as sciatica.
Pain That Worsens With Activity or Prolonged Sitting
- Common with desk jobs or long commutes, even mild activity may worsen discomfort.
Muscle Spasms
- Sudden tightening of muscles may occur, making movement painful or unpredictable.
How a Pain Management Doctor Can Help:
At POA, we begin with diagnostic imaging and a detailed physical assessment to determine the exact cause of lower back pain. Treatment plans are individualized and may include physical therapy to strengthen core muscles, medication management, and targeted injections. For persistent cases, minimally invasive procedures such as radiofrequency ablation can provide long-term relief.
Options may include:
- Epidural steroid injections
- Facet joint injections
- Core stabilization therapy
- Radiofrequency nerve ablation
2. Chronic Pain Because of Osteoarthritis (OA)
OA is primarily due to the gradual breakdown of cartilage in joints over time. Risk factors for osteoarthritis include age, obesity, prior joint injuries, and repetitive stress from work or sports.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis (OA):
Joint Pain, Especially After Movement
- Pain that worsens with activity and improves after rest.
Swelling and Tenderness
- Inflammation causes visible swelling and sensitivity in the joint.
Reduced Range of Motion
- Stiff joints limit how far or freely you can move.
Joint Stiffness, Particularly in the Morning
- It may take 30 minutes or more before joints "loosen up."
Grating Sensation or Bone Spurs
- A grinding feeling can occur as bone rubs against bone due to lost cartilage.
How a Pain Management Doctor Can Help Your Osteoarthritis:
Managing osteoarthritis means improving function and reducing inflammation without excessive reliance on medications. We may use image-guided joint injections, bracing, and regenerative treatments. Pain doctors also help patients adapt with assistive devices and lifestyle modifications.
Common treatments include:
- Corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid joint injections
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Assistive supports like canes or orthotics
3. Chronic Neck Pain and Cervical Radiculopathy
Often caused by cervical disc herniation or arthritis that compresses spinal nerves. Poor posture, especially with prolonged screen time, is a growing cause in younger adults.
Symptoms of Chronic Neck Pain and Cervical Radiculopathy:
Localized Neck Pain
- This may feel like soreness or burning pain that worsens with movement.
Radiating Pain Down the Arms
- Indicates nerve root irritation in the cervical spine.
Numbness or Tingling in the Hands or Fingers
- This is a sign of nerve compression or inflammation.
Muscle Weakness
- You may have difficulty gripping objects or experience arm fatigue.
Headaches Originating From the Neck
- Tension and nerve irritation can cause referred pain into the skull.
How a Pain Management Doctor Can Help :
Our team focuses on identifying the source of the nerve compression. We use imaging-guided cervical injections, therapeutic exercises, and posture correction strategies. Nerve blocks or ablation may be used for stubborn pain.
Possible interventions include:
- Cervical epidural steroid injections
- Neuromuscular re-education
- Postural therapy
- Targeted pain medications
4. Chronic Pain from Sciatica
Sciatica is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve which can often be caused by a herniated disc or bone spur. Spinal stenosis or pelvic trauma may also contribute.
Symptoms of Chronic Pain from Sciatica:
Shooting Pain From the Lower Back Down One Leg
- Often described as electric or burning, it can worsen with prolonged sitting.
Burning or Tingling Sensations
- Typically felt along the sciatic nerve path.
Weakness in the Leg or Foot
- May affect balance, walking, or climbing stairs.
Pain That Worsens When Sitting or Standing for Long Periods
- Certain positions increase pressure on the nerve root.
Difficulty Walking
- Pain may become sharp or radiate with movement.
How a Pain Management Doctor Can Help:
Treatment focuses on reducing nerve inflammation and preventing flare-ups. POA specialists use targeted injections, movement re-education, and sometimes minimally invasive procedures to decompress the nerve.
Treatment strategies may include:
- Lumbar epidural injections
- Sciatic nerve blocks
- Decompression exercises
- Anti-neuropathic medications
5. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
CRPS can develop after surgery, fracture, or sprain. It involves abnormal nerve responses and inflammation that affect the central nervous system's pain regulation.
Symptoms of CRPS:
Severe, Ongoing Pain in One Limb
- Pain that is often disproportionate to what would be expected from the initial injury.
Swelling and Skin Color Changes
- The limb may appear red, blue, or blotchy.
Sensitivity to Touch (Allodynia)
- Even light brushing or temperature changes cause significant pain.
Decreased Mobility or Joint Stiffness
- The affected area may become hard to move or hypersensitive.
Temperature or Sweating Irregularities
- One limb may feel noticeably warmer or colder.
How a Pain Management Doctor Can Help:
CRPS is complex and requires early, aggressive treatment. Our physicians often use sympathetic nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation, and desensitization therapy to restore mobility and decrease hypersensitivity.
Interventions may include:
- Sympathetic nerve blocks
- Spinal cord stimulation
- Desensitization therapy
- Multidisciplinary rehab
Other Common Chronic Pain Conditions
Fibromyalgia
A widespread chronic pain condition that affects muscles and soft tissues, often accompanied by fatigue, memory issues ("fibro fog"), and sleep disturbances.
Symptoms include:
- Constant, dull body aches
- Tender points across the body
- Extreme fatigue and non-restorative sleep
- Heightened sensitivity to pain and temperature
Chronic Headaches and Migraines
Recurring, often debilitating head pain that can last hours to days. Migraines that are frequently accompanied by nausea, light sensitivity, and aura.
Symptoms can include:
- Experiencing throbbing or pulsing pain, typically on one side
- Having sensitivity to light, sound, or smells
- Feelings of nausea or vomiting
- Having visual disturbances or aura (flashes, blind spots)
Shoulder Pain (Rotator Cuff Injuries, Frozen Shoulder)
Pain stemming from wear and tear, inflammation, or stiffness of the shoulder joint or tendons. It can severely limit arm function.
Symptoms include:
- Dull or sharp pain in the shoulder or upper arm
- Stiffness or "locking" in the joint
- Weakness with lifting or overhead movement
- Difficulty sleeping on the affected side
Post-Surgical or Post-Traumatic Pain Syndromes
Pain that persists beyond normal healing after surgery or injury, often involving nerve damage or tissue hypersensitivity.
Symptoms include:
- Persistent pain at the surgical or injury site
- Burning, tingling, or stabbing sensations
- Increased pain with touch or movement
- Limited function in the affected area
Why See a POA Pain Management Specialist?
Seeing a pain management doctor at POA isn't just about getting medication or another procedure—it's about reclaiming your life. Our physicians take a whole-person approach to your care. That means listening closely, examining thoroughly, and crafting a treatment plan to meet your needs, lifestyle, and goals.
Whether your pain has lasted months or years, our team is equipped with the tools and experience to make a difference. We blend advanced medical technologies with human compassion. Our goal is to help you move better, sleep longer, work easier, and engage in life again—on your terms.
Pain doesn't need to define who you are or what you can do. With the right care, you can get your life back—and it starts with a conversation at POA.
This blog post is meant to be informative and should not act as a self-diagnosis tool. If you’d like to see one of our doctors, please contact us here.
