Chronic Pain

Learn about how you can finally get chronic pain relief!

Our alternative therapy can help you experience the lasting relief you deserve so you can get back to doing what you love!

What is chronic pain?

The difference between acute pain and chronic pain is the duration. Acute pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong, but usually goes away once your injury heals.

However, chronic pain is different as it may last weeks, months or years after the injury has healed. Chronic pain is defined by pain lasting about 3 to 6 months or longer, which can affect your daily life and even your mental health.

What are the risk factors?

Aging – as we get older, we are more likely to have health problems that lead to chronic pain such as diabetes, shingles, arthritis
Medical conditions – fibromyalgia, diabetes, shingles, arthritis, depression or anxiety disorders, joint injuries, past joint surgeries, and weakened immune system can all lead to chronic pain
Lifestyle – poor diet, lack of regular exercise, smoking, alcohol, drug abuse can lead to chronic pain

Symptoms

Chronic pain is usually achy and dull. There may be intermittent periods of sharp pain. Pain may radiate. There may be numbness or tingling.

Those with chronic pain often have increased stress in their lives and are unable to manage their stress. Sleep is also affected. There is usually an emotional component associated with chronic pain which may include anger, depression, frustration, or irritability. Emotional stress causes blockages in circulation which may cause pain in different areas of the body.

What are the causes of chronic pain?

Chronic neck and shoulder pain can be caused by overuse injuries from sports (e.g. baseball, softball, tennis) or overuse injuries from work (i.e. prolonged sitting or use of computer/mouse, laptop, cellphone) or any type of repetitive motion (e.g. typing or use of mouse). Chronic hip and knee pain can also be caused by overuse of injured areas and is also commonly seen in those who are overweight or obese.

Solutions for chronic pain

In Western medicine, chronic pain is usually treated with physical therapy, medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) whose long term use can cause digestive problems and kidney failure, narcotic medications which can lead to dependency and addiction, interventional measures such as nerve blocks/trigger point injections/epidural injections, and surgery.

Our approach combines nerve block and trigger point injections with acupuncture and the principles of Chinese medicine. In Chinese medicine the liver helps circulate energy and blood flow throughout the body. Stress and depression weaken the liver, causing stagnation and blockage of energy thus decreases circulation throughout the body and causes pain. Our treatment clears this stagnation in the liver and restores circulation and energy in those areas of pain. Pain relief is maintained through proper diet and specific exercises that strengthen those areas of pain. Herbs and supplements that clear liver stagnation and decrease inflammation help to prevent recurrence of pain.

How do I find out more about chronic pain relief?

Call East West Wellness Medical Center at (714) 556-8664 or click here to schedule an appointment. Our practice uses an integrative approach, combining Eastern and Western medicine to provide relief from chronic pain without the use of drugs and surgeries. Dr. Tong not only treats chronic pain, but he improves your overall health.