Trauma can initiate a generalized pain syndrome such as fibromyalgia. Following trauma in which there are soft tissue injuries, a process called “central sensitization” can take place. This is where pain centers continue to perceive ongoing pain impulses despite the fact that there should be normal resolution of this pain with healing. It is comparable to “phantom limb syndrome pain” in which individuals who have had an amputation of a limb still feel pain where the limb once was. Some people who have suffered a trauma in a motor vehicle crash or a fall down are not immediately diagnosed with a post-traumatic fibromyalgia or other generalized pain syndrome. Rather they endure years of painful yet useless medical treatments for ongoing pain. This often results in anxiety, depression, and sleeplessness. They lose the things that gave their lives pleasure such as activities, work, and hobbies.
After proper diagnosis, some individuals are able to improve with appropriate treatment. Some individuals are still no better after such treatment, but at least they have an answer as to why they are suffering.
The prognosis for improvement is often poor due to the fact that fibromyalgia and other generalized pain syndromes are chronic. Sometimes the injuries sustained in the motor vehicle accident or fall down will be lifelong in duration and will require ongoing treatment.
At Naftulin and Shick, PC, we are familiar with chronic pain syndromes. We understand that there seems to be no explanation for why you continue to suffer when healing is expected in a reasonable time period.
We make sure our clients our compensated for all of their injuries and the economic injuries they suffer because they are unable to work, along with their loss of life’s pleasure.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, whether a motor vehicle crash or a fall down because of someone else’s negligence, call us at 215-348-5455. Email us at [email protected]. We are here to help you.