Chronic pain is a problem that millions of people like you deal with regularly. For most chronic pain sufferers, the problem stems from a disease or an injury. But in some cases, your genetics may affect whether you’re more likely to end up with this condition in your lifetime.
This possibility is something to consider when you look into treatment options like pain management. You’re wondering if there’s anything available near you and what kind of therapy you’d need to take the edge off of your chronic discomfort if it is inherited.
For instance, if you live in the Sooner State, you may ask yourself, “Is Oklahoma pain management for me, or is there something else I should be doing if my problem is inherited?” The answer is that chronic pain treatment and genes are related, so treating one can help the other. We’ll dig into that more here as we discuss the extent to which genetics play a role in developing chronic pain as we age.
The Relationship Between Chronic Pain and Genetics
In all animals, genes determine what traits are inherited from parents to offspring. Humans have nearly 20,000 genes that code the proteins that determine physical and biological characteristics, such as hair and eye color, height, body structure, and much more.
However, when genetic material is passed down to the child from the parent, a gene can become mutated, or the parent may share an existing gene. So, if the parent has a genetic disease like chronic pain, the child can inherit it. This relationship doesn’t mean the child will develop the condition, but they’re more likely to have it than someone without the gene would be.
A person’s genetics can also determine how they function when they’re in pain. Someone with a high pain tolerance can pass that ability to their child, while someone else who perceives slight pain as moderate or severe may provide that gene as an inherited trait. This is a crucial new piece of information that research has only recently uncovered, but that could have significant impacts on how we treat those with chronic pain.
Treatment for Genetic Chronic Pain
As with any condition, there are various factors that are used to determine the treatment protocol for a person with chronic pain. Health providers will review their medical and mental health history and then plan a course of therapy that likely includes conservative care and medication.
Common genetically predisposed chronic pain conditions include back, pelvic, and musculoskeletal pain, as well as migraines. Mutations in the genes when a child is growing can prevent the bones and discs from developing normally, resulting in back pain.
Chronic pain treatment is a long process for most patients. First, they must convince their healthcare provider that they’re in life-interrupting pain and rule out diagnoses that could be causing the problems. The term “chronic” in this diagnosis means that the pain must last for an extended period, sometimes months or longer, and not respond to typical treatments, including medication.
By that time, it’s understandable that the patient is frustrated and tired of living in pain. They want to feel better and are looking for ways to control their discomfort and get back to their daily lives.
For non-surgical treatment options, many patients seek out pain management. Depending on the type of pain involved, this may include Botox or cortisol injections, medial branch blocks, and prescription pain medication, among other therapies.
In cases where the pain does not successfully respond to management methods, surgical treatment can be a possibility. Severe chronic pain has been alleviated using spinal cord stimulators, surgical correctors, and pain pumps.
You Don’t Have to Suffer Forever
It may seem like your pain is never going to go away, but it’s possible that you haven’t found the right treatment yet. If your chronic pain is genetic, it isn’t always treatable the way many other types of pain are fixed. You can take control of your life back with pain management.
