Chronic Pain: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options

Chronic pain is pain that continues for longer than three months and may interfere with movement, sleep, work, exercise, and everyday activities.

At Everybody’s Chiropractic Center in Upper Darby, PA, we see patients dealing with long-term back pain, neck pain, joint pain, sciatica, degenerative conditions, and other musculoskeletal problems that interfere with work, exercise, sleep, and normal daily activities.

The goal is not simply to cover up symptoms. Instead, we try to determine what may be contributing to the pain and whether conservative treatment is appropriate.

What Is Chronic Pain?

Acute pain usually occurs after an injury or illness and improves as the underlying problem heals.

Chronic pain, however, persists for months or longer. It may be continuous or come and go.

Common examples include:

  • Chronic lower back pain
  • Persistent neck pain
  • Arthritis-related pain
  • Sciatica
  • Long-term joint pain
  • Nerve-related pain
  • Pain following an old injury
  • Persistent muscle or tendon pain

Chronic pain can affect much more than the painful area itself. It can interfere with movement, work, relationships, mood, sleep, and everyday activities.

Why Can Pain Continue for Months?

There is not one explanation for every patient.

Sometimes an underlying structural or musculoskeletal problem continues to produce symptoms. In other cases, the original injury may have improved while the nervous system remains unusually sensitive to pain signals.

Factors that may contribute include:

  • Degenerative joint changes
  • Disc problems
  • Persistent inflammation
  • Nerve irritation
  • Repetitive strain
  • Previous injuries
  • Reduced strength or mobility
  • Poor sleep
  • Stress
  • Reduced physical activity

That is why chronic pain should not automatically be treated the same way in every patient.

What Is Central Sensitization?

In some chronic pain conditions, the nervous system can become more sensitive to pain signals.

This process is often referred to as central sensitization. Researchers describe it as increased sensitivity within the central nervous system that can contribute to pain hypersensitivity.

This does not mean the pain is imaginary.

Instead, it helps explain why pain intensity does not always perfectly match what appears on an X-ray or MRI.

For some patients, chronic pain involves a combination of:

  • Tissue or joint problems
  • Nerve sensitivity
  • Movement limitations
  • Sleep disruption
  • Stress
  • Previous injury
  • Changes in the way pain is processed

Common Reasons Pain Persists

Chronic Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain may involve muscles, joints, discs, nerves, or degenerative changes.

Possible causes include:

  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Herniated or bulging discs
  • Arthritis
  • Muscle strain
  • Joint restriction
  • Sciatica
  • Previous injuries

If lower back pain has lasted for months, learn more about our back pain treatment in Upper Darby.

Degenerative Disc Disease and Chronic Pain

Degenerative changes in the spinal discs become more common with age.

However, having degeneration on imaging does not automatically mean it is the source of your pain.

A proper evaluation should consider your symptoms, examination findings, neurological findings, movement, and available imaging.

Read more about degenerative disc disease symptoms and treatment options.

Sciatica and Nerve-Related Pain

Chronic pain may sometimes involve irritation or compression of a spinal nerve.

Sciatica can cause:

  • Pain traveling into the buttock or leg
  • Burning
  • Tingling
  • Numbness
  • Weakness

Persistent nerve-related symptoms should be evaluated rather than treated as ordinary muscle soreness.

Learn more about sciatica treatment in Upper Darby.

Neck Pain and Arm Symptoms

Chronic neck problems may also produce symptoms that travel into the shoulder, arm, hand, or fingers.

This can occur when nerves in the cervical spine are irritated or compressed.

If you have neck pain with numbness, tingling, or pain into an arm or hand, read our guide to neck pain radiating into the arms or hands.

Arthritis and Chronic Joint Pain

Arthritis can contribute to persistent pain and stiffness in areas such as the:

  • Knees
  • Hips
  • Spine
  • Shoulders
  • Hands

However, chronic joint pain does not always mean arthritis is the only problem.

Muscles, tendons, previous injuries, movement limitations, and other factors may also contribute.

For knee symptoms, visit our knee pain treatment in Upper Darby.

How Long-Term Pain Affects Daily Life

Long-term pain can gradually change the way someone lives.

People may begin avoiding activities because they are afraid of causing more pain.

That can sometimes lead to:

  • Reduced activity
  • Loss of strength
  • Increased stiffness
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Fatigue
  • Reduced confidence with movement
  • Difficulty working or exercising
  • Frustration and stress

For that reason, improving function is often just as important as reducing pain.

What Happens During an Evaluation?

A chronic pain evaluation should start with understanding the patient’s history.

We want to know:

  • Where the pain is located
  • How long it has been present
  • What aggravates it
  • What relieves it
  • Whether pain travels
  • Whether numbness or weakness is present
  • Previous injuries
  • Previous treatments
  • Available X-rays or MRI studies

A physical examination may also evaluate:

  • Range of motion
  • Joint mobility
  • Muscle tenderness
  • Strength
  • Neurological findings
  • Movement patterns

The goal is to determine whether there is a musculoskeletal problem that may respond to conservative treatment.

Can Chiropractic Care Help Persistent Musculoskeletal Pain?

Chiropractic care may be appropriate for some types of chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Evidence reviewed by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health suggests spinal manipulation may provide some benefit for certain chronic pain conditions, including low-back pain.

Depending on the patient, treatment may include:

  • Chiropractic adjustments
  • Joint mobilization
  • Soft-tissue techniques
  • Stretching
  • Therapeutic exercise
  • Mobility work
  • Postural recommendations
  • Activity modification

The goal is to improve movement and function while addressing musculoskeletal factors that may be contributing to symptoms.

Learn more about chiropractic care in Upper Darby.

Can Spinal Decompression Help Chronic Back Pain?

For selected patients with disc-related pain, sciatica, or certain degenerative spinal conditions, non-surgical spinal decompression may be considered.

Spinal decompression uses controlled traction to gently unload portions of the spine.

It is not appropriate for every patient, which is why treatment decisions should be based on history, examination findings, and available imaging.

Learn more about spinal decompression treatment in Upper Darby.

Can SoftWave Therapy Be Used for Chronic Pain?

For certain musculoskeletal conditions, SoftWave Therapy may also be considered.

SoftWave uses acoustic shockwaves applied to a targeted treatment area.

Depending on the diagnosis, it may be considered for certain tendon, muscle, fascia, or other musculoskeletal problems.

It should not be presented as a cure for every type of chronic pain.

Instead, it may be one part of a broader treatment plan when the condition is appropriate.

Learn more about SoftWave Therapy in Upper Darby.

You can also read How SoftWave Therapy Works.

Why Movement Matters With Chronic Pain

When appropriate, movement is usually an important part of chronic pain management.

Avoiding all activity can sometimes contribute to:

  • Reduced strength
  • Increased stiffness
  • Loss of mobility
  • Reduced confidence
  • Greater difficulty returning to normal activities

The appropriate amount and type of exercise depends on the individual condition.

For some patients, a gradual program involving walking, mobility work, strengthening, or rehabilitation may be helpful.

The Connection Between Pain and Sleep

Pain can interfere with sleep, while poor sleep can make pain harder to tolerate.

This can create a difficult cycle:

Pain → poor sleep → fatigue → reduced activity → increased pain sensitivity.

Therefore, improving sleep habits and addressing factors that interfere with rest can be an important part of overall pain management.

Chronic Pain Treatment Is Not One-Size-Fits-All

There is rarely one treatment that solves every case of chronic pain.

Depending on the cause, a treatment plan may involve:

  • Chiropractic care
  • Rehabilitation
  • Exercise
  • Spinal decompression
  • SoftWave Therapy when appropriate
  • Medical evaluation
  • Medication when appropriate
  • Lifestyle changes
  • Other healthcare providers when needed

A multimodal approach is commonly recommended because chronic pain can involve multiple physical and neurological factors.

When Should Chronic Pain Be Evaluated Urgently?

Most chronic musculoskeletal pain is not an emergency.

However, seek prompt medical attention for symptoms such as:

  • New bowel or bladder control problems
  • Significant or progressive weakness
  • Numbness in the groin or saddle region
  • Severe pain after major trauma
  • Fever with severe pain
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • New neurological symptoms
  • Severe pain that is rapidly worsening

These symptoms may require medical evaluation rather than routine conservative treatment.

Chronic Pain Treatment in Upper Darby, PA

Living with chronic pain does not mean every day has to revolve around discomfort.

At Everybody’s Chiropractic Center, we evaluate the person—not just the painful body part. Our goal is to determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and whether conservative treatment can help improve movement and function.

Dr. Dan Klein has more than 30 years of experience caring for patients with chronic back pain, neck pain, sciatica, joint pain, degenerative disc disease, sports injuries, and other musculoskeletal problems.

Depending on your condition, treatment may include chiropractic care, spinal decompression, rehabilitation, mobility work, or SoftWave Therapy when appropriate.

Patients visit our Upper Darby office from Havertown, Drexel Hill, Springfield, Broomall, Media, Newtown Square, Ardmore, Haverford, Wynnewood, Bryn Mawr, Villanova, Wayne, Bala Cynwyd, Lansdowne, Clifton Heights, West Philadelphia, Delaware County, and communities throughout the Main Line.

For additional information about chronic pain and conservative treatment approaches, visit the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health chronic pain resource.

If chronic pain is interfering with work, sleep, exercise, walking, or the activities you enjoy, call 610-789-1800 or Make an Appointment.

You can also find Everybody’s Chiropractic Center on Google Maps.