Chronic Pain Management

Chronic Pain Management services offered in Downtown, Wilmington, NC

Chronic pain can color virtually every aspect of your life, making it difficult to move through normal daily activities with ease. For residents in and around Wilmington, North Carolina, help is available from Umar Bowers, MD, Tiffany Bowers, FNP-C, Caitlin Jacobs, FNP-C, and Sandy Taylor, FNP-C, of Dawson Med. Don’t let chronic pain dictate the ebb and flow of each day when there are treatments that can help. Call or click to schedule a time to get started.

Chronic Pain Management Q&A

What is chronic pain?

Pain is a necessary part of life. It’s what lets you know something is wrong, signaling you to take action. Pain that occurs in direct relation to an injury is called acute pain. It tends to flare up suddenly and resolve within a short period of time after the source is removed.

Chronic pain differs in that it does not improve even after you recover from an injury or illness. It lingers, sometimes for years, and continues to disrupt your life. Chronic pain can remain steady over time or can spike in intensity from time to time.

When pain lasts for three to six months or longer, it’s time to see a medical professional. Allowing chronic pain to linger without treatment can lead to serious health consequences.

What happens during chronic pain management?

When you come to Dawson Med for chronic pain management, the process begins with a thorough diagnostic exam. Your practitioner listens to your concerns and asks questions about when you notice your pain and what circumstances seem to trigger or lessen the pain.

Lab testing can be helpful in determining the cause of chronic pain. Once you understand the source, customized treatment helps improve your daily quality of life.

Medication management is an essential part of treating chronic pain. Many people are taking a mix of medications prescribed by different practitioners for various reasons. Not all medications work well together, and without occasional check-ins with your health team, you run the risk of negative drug interactions.

Chronic pain affects more than just the physical; many people also suffer emotional challenges as they move through their lives in pain. Your treatment plan addresses all of your needs, which can shift and change as you move through the process.

How can lifestyle changes improve chronic pain?

Taking an unflinching look at your lifestyle is a great start toward finding areas where improvements can be made. You might be surprised to learn how powerful lifestyle changes can be in treating chronic pain.

Most people begin by improving their daily diet. The foods you choose to eat have a direct impact on the way your body feels and functions each day. Making even small changes can have an almost immediate effect.

Finding ways to incorporate more activity into each day is also a critical part of treating chronic pain. Whether it’s taking a daily walk or finding a new favorite fitness pursuit, boosting your activity levels can reduce chronic pain.

If you’re carrying extra weight, medically supervised weight loss is a great option. Dropping just a few extra pounds can help you feel better. Finding ways to manage stress and improve sleep quality is also important.

If you’d like more information about chronic disease management, call the office today to schedule a visit or book online in just a few moments. Urgent care visits are also an option if pain flares up unexpectedly.