Can Inactivity Lead to Chronic Pain? The Importance of Pain Management

Chronic pain affects nearly 50 million Americans. Just as there are numerous chronic pain sufferers, there are numerous causes for chronic pain. It can be challenging to sift through all the possible culprits of chronic pain in your life. From stress to diet to genetics—the causes are abundant.

To hone in on the cause of your long-term discomfort, so you can ultimately find relief, the experts at Southside Pain Specialists discuss one possible cause of your chronic pain—inactivity. If you’re suffering from chronic pain, don’t hesitate to seek a diagnosis and treatment from pain management specialists.

Is There a Link Between Chronic Pain and Inactivity?

It’s easy to become less active over time, especially in winter weather. During the colder months, it can be easy to stay indoors, snuggled up by the fire with tasty holiday treats. If you find yourself sitting or lying down for long periods of time with little to no exercise, this lifestyle may contribute to chronic pain.

There are several reasons a long period of inactivity can lead to chronic pain or contribute to worsening chronic pain symptoms. Chronic pain may develop from inactivity because when you move less, your muscles get weaker. Then, when you try to go for a walk or run errands, it can become complicated and cause discomfort since the muscles aren’t as strong as they once were. Similarly, being inactive can also cause weight gain, putting more pressure on joints, muscles, and tendons.

What Are the Signs of Chronic Pain?

Typically, chronic pain is pain that lasts for over three months. It can be constant or recurring discomfort that becomes worse after specific activities. Chronic pain often interferes with your daily life and can affect your mental health too.
However, chronic pain can become part of our everyday lives so quickly that it can be hard to decipher what you’re facing. If you’ve been inactive recently and wonder if it’s causing chronic pain, or worsening your chronic pain symptoms, asking yourself a few questions can help you to understand the benefits help of a pain management specialist can provide.

There are several indications that you might have chronic pain, including:

• Aching, burning, shooting, stinging, throbbing, stiffness, or other pain sensations
• Constant pain lasts for more than three months
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Recent mental health troubles such as anxiety, depression, or mood swings

Should I Seek Treatment for Chronic Pain?

If you experience chronic pain, seeing a pain management doctor can help. A pain management clinic like Southside Pain Specialists can determine the causes of your chronic pain and find the proper treatment.

A specialist might recommend physical therapy and an exercise program if your chronic pain has resulted, at least in part, from being inactive. At Southside Pain, we offer these treatment options and various others so that you can improve your quality of life.

Your Trusted Pain Experts

With highly specialized training and many pain relief options, Southside Pain Specialists follow the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians standards, The American Board of Pain Medicine, and the International Spinal Injection Society. We work hard to provide patients with comprehensive, caring pain relief when they need it most. Call us at 205-900-3927 or contact us online to learn more!