National Pain Week
National pain week is from the 26th of July until the 1st of August and aims to raise awareness about chronic pain. Chronic pain can be identified as persistent pain that occurs beyond the usual healing time. Pain affects 1 in 5 Australians aged 45 and over (AIHW, 2020).
Neuropathic pain is a complex type of pain initiated or caused by a primary lesion or dysfunction in the nervous system. It is defined as pain arising as a direct consequence of a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory system at either the peripheral or central level. Causes of neuropathic pain can include:
Compression injury of the spinal cord (Myelopathy)
Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis
After stroke
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
Phantom limb pain in amputees
Post-traumatic neuralgia
Peripheral nerve injury
Chronic pain can affect a person’s ability to exercise, socialise and work. At Neuro Junction, our Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists can assist with managing chronic pain and fatigue levels through the implementation of:
physiotherapy - home exercise programs and distraction and relaxation strategies
occupational therapy - provision of assistive technology and home modifications
For more information please refer to the following links:
References:
Chronic pain in Australia.(2020). Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-disease/chronic-pain-in-australia/contents/summary.
Treede RD, Jensen TS, Campbell JN, Cruccu G, Dostrovsky JO, Griffin JW, Hansson P, Hughes R, Nurmikko T, Serra J. Neuropathic pain: redefinition and a grading system for clinical and research purposes. Neurology, 2008; 70(18): 1630-35.
Bouhassira D, Attal N, Alchaar H, Boureau F, Brochet B, Bruxelle J, Cunin G, Fermanian J, Ginies P, Grun-Overdyking A, Jafari-Schluep H, Lantéri-Minet M,Laurent B, Mick G, Serrie A, Valade D, Vicaut E. Comparison of pain syndromes associated with nervous or somatic lesions and development of a new neuropathic pain diagnostic questionnaire (DN4).Pain, 2005; 114(1-2): 29-36.
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