Chronic pain can last a lifetime if not treated properly and can affect the body in several ways. It will impact your body and compromise your work, personal life and day-to-day activity.
In this article, we will talk about what chronic pain does to your body over time, how the symptoms can shift to other realms of your life, including work, activities of daily living, and your emotional state, as well as how these symptoms can exacerbate or shift, as time goes on. We will also discuss how Wildewood Health can help you overcome the impacts of chronic pain over time.
How Chronic Pain Causes Muscle Tension
Being in a constant state of pain can increase tension in muscles. This can be directly in the damaged muscle, surrounding muscles that compensate, or even from the systemic stress the injury brings.
Long-term tension in the muscles can cause trigger points and fibre shortening.
Muscles under constant tension and duress can lead to decreased range of motion and strength, ultimately becoming dysfunctional movements for activity, work or everyday life.
Sedentary Time
Chronic pain and muscle soreness can increase sedentary time. Someone suffering from chronic pain may have increased symptoms with movement, making them hesitant to perform any activity. Constant pain leading to an altered emotional state with a lack of motivation to continue activities can also happen.
Sedentary life over time can have many damaging side effects, the main concern being an increased chance of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, depression and more.
No motivation for normal activities can also include a disinterest in spending time with friends and family or feeling detached from the things you love.
A sedentary lifestyle and changes in mood can make it challenging to find motivation for work. You may find yourself being less productive or unable to perform normal duties – leading to decreased income or job loss.
Medicating
People with chronic pain may turn to medications to release tension or decrease pain to get through the day.
Chronic medication use, if not prescribed, can have severe ramifications on bodily functions, especially if it accumulates over time.
The body can become reliant or immune to certain drugs, or toxins can build up in vital organs, leading to a chance of illness.
Our Chronic Pain Program
At Wildewood Health, our chronic pain program will address the symptoms that can impact your life over time.
Athletic therapists and kinesiologists are experts in injury and improving functional movement. Our program works to initially reduce pain, increase muscle stabilization and reduce muscle tension, increase joint range, and ultimately overall strength. We want to help you get back to your normal daily activities, work, and the things and people that you love. You can book with us here.
How do you know if you have chronic pain or a chronic injury? Check out our latest blog to find out!
