Chronic Pain Syndrome
Chronic pain syndrome (CPS) is a term used to define patients with severe persistent pain from virtually any source which has resulted in marked changes in behavior, self-imposed restriction of daily activities, and heavy, largely ineffective use of the healthcare system. CPS overwhelms all other medical symptoms to the point of becoming the problem itself. It is often accompanied by bouts of irritability, uncontrolled anger, and depression.
CPS has no specific cause but rather is the cumulative result of a combination of conditions including the one(s) causing pain. CPS is not fictitious or psychogenic pain but rather the body's psychophysiologic response to chronic pain. Symptoms of CPS must be recognized early and the disorder treated using a multi-disciplinary approach. There is some optimism that those at high risk of developing CPS will be identified in the future prior to injury, and treated more agressively during the acute phase.
CPS is managed best with a multidisciplinary approach as alluded to above; helping the patient return to a more normal life and accomodating to chronic pain. A lifelong program of graded exercise is a vital component of treatment management.
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Pain Management Resources