In 2021, 51.6 million Americans reported having chronic pain. This constitutes 20.9% of the American population. Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that affects individuals’ ability to perform daily tasks and activities. 

At Pain Treatment Centers of America, we decided to answer one of the most frequently asked questions about chronic pain: is it hereditary? 

There’s still a lot of research being done on chronic pain. Yet, studies generally tend to support the view that chronic pain runs in families. Read on to find out more about this topic!

What Is Chronic Pain?

Even though chronic pain affects such a large number of Americans and people around the world, it was only recognized as a disease by the World Health Organization (WHO) not so long ago. In the past, it was simply considered a symptom. Adding chronic pain to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) was an important step toward making sure that individuals affected receive adequate treatment.

To better understand what chronic pain is, remember the last time you felt normal pain. Maybe you accidentally cut a finger while chopping veggies for lunch, or maybe you touched a stovetop, forgetting it was turned on. Your pain was immediate and acute. It was a sensation caused by pain signals firing in your nervous system. The primary goal was to warn you about a possible injury.

Individuals affected by chronic pain experience a malfunctioning of the nervous system where pain signals continue to fire constantly, typically for more than three months. This has negative impacts on the quality of life.

Two Main Types of Chronic Pain

Now that we are on the same page about the definition of chronic pain, let’s move on to tackling our main question. Why does chronic pain happen? 

Chronic pain can be classified into two main types: primary and secondary.

Primary Chronic Pain

If pain affects an otherwise healthy body and doesn’t have an identifiable cause, it would be considered primary chronic pain. 

Secondary Chronic Pain

In some cases, chronic pain may be caused by cancer treatment, surgery, or rheumatoid arthritis. In that case, it would be considered secondary.

Most Prevalent Forms of Chronic Pain

Chronic pain comes in a constellation of different forms, which is why we will focus on the most common ones: fibromyalgia, acute lower back pain, and migraines.

Fibromyalgia

This chronic pain condition affects around six million Americans. It is characterized by widespread body pain that is especially prominent in such areas as the back of the head, elbows, knees, hips, shoulders, back, and upper chest. It also comes with such symptoms as fatigue and unrefreshing sleep.

Research tells us that individuals who have close relatives affected by fibromyalgia are far more likely to have the same condition. Yet, other causes may exist. For example, the development of fibromyalgia may be triggered by a traumatic physical or emotional event or repetitive injury.

If you have fibromyalgia, there are treatment plans available for you to help you manage the pain. These include combining medications with physical and mental therapies.

Migraine and Headaches

This chronic condition is characterized by head pain, seeing flashing lights, light sensitivity, fatigue, and sickness. Migraines happen due to abnormal brain activity that affects nerve signals, chemicals, and blood vessels in the brain. 

Scientists lean toward linking migraines to genes. In fact, studies have confirmed that some rare types of migraine are caused by mutations in certain genes. For example, Hemiplegic Migraine is caused by mutations in the CACNA1A, ATP1A2, and SCN1A genes. 

If you are prone to migraines, you could mitigate their onset by having regular meals, maintaining steady blood sugar levels, getting enough sleep, and ensuring your room or office has enough sunlight and a comfortable temperature. At Pain Treatment Centers of America, we offer treatment plans for different types of headaches.

Acute Lower Back Pain

This type of pain usually continues for 12 weeks or longer and is characterized by pain that radiates from the glutes or hips, affects the legs, feet, and back, and lasts in sitting or resting positions. It can also happen while an individual is lifting heavy objects. Twin studies support the hypothesis that it is a hereditary form of chronic pain.

If you are experiencing acute lower back pain, you should avoid straining your back, while also pursuing a low-impact exercise routine that will keep your muscles strong and flexible. It is also important to maintain a healthy weight and follow a nutritious diet. If possible, you should use ergonomically designed furniture and equipment. We offer a range of treatment plans for back pain, and we will work closely with you to develop a customized solution that will align best with your needs.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

While this isn’t a form of chronic pain, rheumatoid arthritis is closely associated with chronic pain because it is a condition when the immune system attacks the healthy tissues surrounding the joints, causing inflammation. This inflammation leads to pain, swelling, and stiffness. 

While there may be other factors that lead to rheumatoid arthritis, research has mostly shown that this disorder clusters in families. The following genetic markers have been identified as linked to rheumatoid arthritis: HLA-DR4, STAT4, TRAF1, C5, and PTPN22. Some environmental factors lead to a higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis. These include older age and obesity.

Regular exercise, stress management, and weight loss can help manage the pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis more effectively. We offer treatment plans for individuals affected by this disorder.

Final Words

All in all, our general answer to the question of whether chronic pain is hereditary would be yes. Yet, it is important to keep in mind that environmental factors can play a significant role in triggering chronic pain in individuals. Therefore, early diagnosis and a healthy lifestyle are essential. 

If you or a loved one is living with chronic pain, our experts at Pain Treatment Centers of America are here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.