Pain is a serious problem for many individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Pain after SCI can occur in parts of the body where there is normal sensation (feeling) as well as areas that have little or no feeling. The pain is very real and can have a negative impact on quality of life. An individual in severe pain may have difficulty carrying out daily activities or participating in enjoyable pastimes.

The majority of individuals with SCI report that they have chronic pain. Chronic pain is pain that does not go away and instead lasts months to years. The cause of the pain may be unknown but is most often related to nerve damage from the SCI or musculoskeletal problems that arise in dealing with a SCI. The pain can come and go. Chronic pain is difficult to completely eliminate but often can be managed or reduced enough so that it doesn’t control the individual’s life.

Chronic pain can cause or worsen psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, and stress. This does not mean the pain is “all in your head,” but rather that pain and distress can make each other worse.

Even though pain after SCI can be complicated and difficult to treat, there are many treatments available that can help. Understanding the pain, working with the doctor and being open to a variety of treatments will help to manage the pain and improve quality of life. Many people with difficult chronic pain problems after SCI have found relief using techniques described here.

TYPES OF PAIN

A person with SCI can have many different types of pain in different locations, including areas where there is not usually any feeling. Understanding what type of pain you have is key to choosing and implementing the right treatment. Therefore, your doctor will ask you to describe your pain in a variety of ways, including its locations, severity, how long you have had it, what makes it worse or better and so on. The doctor also may request that the individual undergoes tests such as an x-ray or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

NEUROPATHIC PAIN

Neuropathic pain (“neurogenic pain”) is caused by abnormal communication between the nerves that were damaged by your spinal cord injury and the brain, where nerve signals that inform your brain how your body feels are interpreted. In neuropathic pain, it is thought that the brain “misunderstands” the signals it is getting from around the area of your injury and causes you to experience pain coming from below where you have little or no feeling. This is why a person can feel neuropathic pain in an area that otherwise has no feeling.

People often use words such as burning, stabbing or tingling to describe neuropathic pain, but neuropathic pain varies a great deal from person to person. It is often very difficult to treat, and frequently a combination of treatments must be used.

  • Note: If pain starts years after injury, it may be due to a new medical problem, such as a syrinx, a fluid-filled cavity that forms in the spinal cord. It is rare but may require surgery. Therefore, it is very important to contact a doctor if you notice any new loss of sensation, especially in areas around the level of your injury, and any muscle weakness that doesn’t improve with rest.

MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN

Musculoskeletal pain is caused by problems in the muscles, joints or bones. It is a common problem for all people as they get older, including those with SCI. Musculoskeletal pain can be caused by injury, overuse or strain, arthritic changes, or wear and tear of the joints, often from wheelchair use (including inadequate support for sitting) and/or transfers. This type of pain typically worsens with movement and improves with rest.

UPPER LIMB PAIN

Upper limb (shoulder, elbow and hand) pain is often caused by overuse of the muscles from doing transfers and pressure relief maneuvers and from pushing a wheelchair. It can occur months or many years after injury. Individuals with higher level injuries who use computers or joysticks for many activities (reading, communicating, environmental controls) may develop pain in the hand, arm or shoulder from overuse. Upper limb pain can make it difficult to transfer safely and perform other activities of daily living.

BACK AND NECK PAIN

Back and neck pain are common problems. In people with paraplegia who have had surgery to fuse their spine, increased motion that occurs just above and just below the fusion can lead to back pain. People with tetraplegia (quadriplegia) may also have back pain, especially if they are able to walk but still have weakness. People who use chin- or mouth-operated joysticks may sometimes develop neck pain.

MUSCLE SPASM PAIN

Muscle spasm pain happens when muscles and joints are strained from spasticity.

VISCERAL PAIN

Visceral pain is located in the abdomen (stomach and digestive area) and is often described as cramping and/or dull and aching. This type of pain can be caused by a medical problem such as constipation, a kidney stone, ulcer, gall stone or appendicitis. Since an individual with SCI may not have the usual symptoms associated with these medical conditions, it is important to consult with a doctor who has had experience caring for SCI patients in order to get a correct diagnosis and treatment.

Pain that comes from a visceral problem is sometimes felt in an area away from the source of the problem. This is called referred pain. One common example is shoulder pain that results from gallbladder disease.

Since pain can have so many different causes there is no single way to treat it. A trial of a combination of drugs, therapy and other treatments, including psychological treatments may be necessary.

PHYSICAL TREATMENTS AND INTERVENTIONS INCLUDING ACTIVITY MODIFICATION

Changes in mobility equipment (wheelchair, sliding board), wheelchair pushing and transfer techniques, and in the way the individual performs pressure reliefs can significantly decrease pain in the muscles and joints. Exercises that strengthen and balance joints can also help reduce musculoskeletal pain.

Physical therapy is used to treat musculoskeletal pain. Stretching and range of motion exercises may help relieve pain associated with muscle tension. Exercises that strengthen weak muscles can restore balance in painful joints and reduce pain.

Therapeutic massage may help relieve musculoskeletal pain due to muscle tightness and muscle imbalance.

Acupuncture is used to treat musculoskeletal pain. Tiny needles are inserted into the skin at specific points on the body. This method is thought to work by stimulating the body’s pain control system or by blocking the flow of pain.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is sometimes used to treat musculoskeletal pain. Electrodes are placed on the surface of your skin and send low levels of electrical current into your body. The current blocks signals from the areas of nerve damage that are triggering a pain response.

PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENTS FOR MANAGING PAIN AFTER SCI

Individuals can learn to use psychological techniques to help them manage their pain better to ensure that the pain doesn’t take over their lives. Psychologists trained in pain management can help with a variety of techniques proven to be effective in reducing the intensity and impact of pain.

  • Relaxation techniques and/or biofeedback designed to teach you how to reduce muscle pain tension and “mental tension” associated with pain can be helpful in self-management.
  • Self-hypnosis training has proven helpful for reducing chronic pain in some individuals.
  • Cognitive restructuring. Learning how to think differently about your pain and its effects can actually lead to changes in brain activity and, in turn, the experience of pain.
  • Individual psychotherapy designed to help identify desired goals and increase pleasure and meaning in daily life can help reduce pain. Therapy can also help if there is a significant amount of anxiety associated with pain.

MEDICATIONS

There are many different medications to treat pain. All of the medications listed below have shown some success in reducing pain, but none do so completely in every instance. All have possible side effects, some of which can be serious. Discuss all side effects with your doctor. Sometimes combinations of drugs work better than a single drug.

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (also known as NSAIDS) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) are most commonly used to treat musculoskeletal pain. Side effects may include stomach upset or bleeding problems.
  • Anti-seizure medications such as gabapentin (Neurontin) and Pregabalin (Lyrica) are used to treat neuropathic pain. Side effects include dizziness, sleepiness and swelling.
  • Antidepressants are used to treat neuropathic pain and depression. These medications include selective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs), such as venlafaxine (Effexor), and tricyclics, such as amitripltyline (Elavil). Side effects include dry mouth, sleepiness, dizziness and (with SSNRIs) nausea.
  • Narcotics (opiates) such as morphine, codeine, hydrocodone and oxycodone are used to treat neuropathic and musculoskeletal pain. These drugs have many side effects, including constipation and sleepiness, and can be habit forming. It is possible to develop dependency on these drugs and some individuals may have withdrawal symptoms after suddenly stopping their dosage. However, these drugs can be used effectively for many individuals, and while not the first consideration for chronic pain management, should not be dismissed because of fears about dependency or side effects.
  • Muscle relaxants and anti-spasticity medications such as diazepam (Valium), baclofen (Lioresal) and tizanidine (Zanaflex) are used to treat spasm-related and musculoskeletal pain. These may be taken by mouth or delivered directly to the spinal cord through an implanted pump (see “Intrathecal pumps” below). These drugs can cause sleepiness, confusion and other side effects.
  • Topical local anesthetics such as lidocaine (Lidoderm) are used to treat pain that occurs when skin is lightly touched (called allodynia).
  • Dorsal column stimulator is used to treat neuropathic pain due to nerve root damage. A high frequency, low-intensity nerve stimulator is surgically placed in the spinal canal next to the spinal cord or nerve roots.
  • Intrathecal pumps are used to treat neuropathic pain (using morphine) or muscle spasm-related pain (using baclofen) A pump containing morphine or baclofen is surgically placed under the skin in the abdomen. It delivers the medication directly to the spinal cord and nerve roots.
  • Get treatment for medical problems. Overall health can have a big impact on pain. Urinary tract infections, bowel problems, skin problems, sleep problems and spasticity can make pain worse or harder to treat. Staying as healthy as possible can help reduce pain.
  • Try to get as much exercise as possible. Getting regular physical activity can reduce pain as well as improve mood and overall health. It can also be enjoyable and distract you from pain. Your health provider can help you choose physical activities that are safe and appropriate for you.
  • Get treatment for depression. Depression can make pain worse. It is best treated through counseling and medication. Getting treatment for depression can help individuals cope with chronic pain and improve the quality of life.
  • Reduce stress. Stress can make pain worse or make the pain harder to cope with. Individuals can learn to effectively manage stress through counseling and learning techniques to help you reduce stress and tension, such as relaxation training, biofeedback, and hypnosis. Exercise also helps reduce stress.
  • Distract yourself. Distraction is one of the best methods for coping with chronic pain. Participating in enjoyable and meaningful activities can help reduce pain and help individuals feel more in control of their lives, especially when pain is at its worst. When individuals are bored and inactive, they have a tendency to focus more on pain, and this can make the pain feel even more debilitating.
  • Keep a record. All individuals’ pain is different. Keep a record of what improves the pain and what makes pain worse. Understanding things that affect the pain will help to find effective ways to reduce your pain.
  • Get a wheelchair seating evaluation. Poor posture and improper seating can cause serious pain problems. Individuals with SCI should have their seating evaluated by a physical therapist who specializes in wheelchair seating. If an individual uses a manual wheelchair, try to get a high-strength, fully customizable chair made of the lightest material possible (aluminum or titanium). Learn the proper wheelchair propulsion (pushing) technique from a physical therapist.
  • Do not use alcohol to ease pain. Using alcohol as a pain medication can lead to alcohol abuse and other serious problems. Some medications should not be mixed with alcohol. Ask your doctor about drinking alcohol, and always read the labels of your prescriptions.

FINDING HELP

If you have pain, it is important to get treatment for it. The ideal source of help would be a physician and psychologist familiar with SCI and pain management, working together. If you do not have easy access to such experts, the next best alternative is to seek help from a multidisciplinary pain clinic where physicians and psychologists are available. Work closely with a health care provider with whom you are comfortable and who understands your condition. Chronic pain is not hopeless. Try not to become discouraged if one treatment doesn’t work, and be open to trying a variety of different techniques. While complete relief from pain may not be possible, living better despite pain is a realistic goal.