Chronic pain is a major health problem. Nationally, the 2022 Chronic Pain Barometer in Spain estimates that 25,9% of adults live with chronic pain. In Galicia, musculoskeletal pain is especially common: the same study indicates that Galicia has the highest prevalence of lower back pain, affecting 64,5% of patients with chronic pain. This places Galicia above the national average (58,1%) and makes A Coruña one of the provinces with the highest demand for specialized care.
How we address chronic pain at Ribera Assistens
At the Ribera Assistens Medical Center in A Coruña We believe that pain can and should be treated holistically. Our specialists in anesthesiology and pain medicine They assess each case individually. After a thorough diagnosis, a personalized treatment plan is developed that includes tailored pharmacological analgesia and interventional techniques (ultrasound- or fluoroscopy-guided injections, radiofrequency, nerve blocks) to reduce inflammation and restore mobility. This multidisciplinary approach follows the WHO analgesic ladder and aims to minimize drug dependence.
Acute pain control after surgery
Many people develop chronic pain due to poorly controlled postoperative pain. At Ribera Assistens, we apply acute pain monitoring protocols similar to those used in acute pain units: our anesthesiologists use systems to assess pain intensity and adjust analgesia in the hours and days following surgery, preventing complications and facilitating recovery.
Main causes of chronic pain
According to the barometer, the most frequently diagnosed causes of chronic pain in Spain are:
- Lower back pain, which affects 58,1% of patients.
- Muscle contractures, present in 50,6% of cases.
- Cervical pain (46,2%) and osteoarthritis (33%).
The location of the pain is mainly in the extremities and joints (33,1%), in the back (28%) and as generalized pain (13,2%).
These figures reflect the need for chronic pain treatment that integrates diagnosis, drug therapy, and other more advanced anesthesiology therapies and ongoing monitoring, services offered by our center.
Therapeutic exercise adapted and supervised by physiotherapists
At Ribera Assistens, in addition to medical interventions, we are committed to a therapeutic exercise program supervised by physiotherapistsAfter an individual assessment, our professionals prescribe a therapeutic regimen of tailored exercises that help restore range of motion and flexibility, increase muscle strength and stability, reduce inflammation and pain, and activate endogenous analgesia through the release of endorphins.
Scientific evidence supports that health education and therapeutic exercise are two of the most effective tools for treating chronic pain. At Ribera Assistens, physiotherapists guide and support patients in the initiation and progression of physical activity, ensuring that each exercise is tailored to their condition and encouraging adherence to the program. Not all exercises are appropriate for everyone; an exercise suitable for a young patient with subacute pain may be counterproductive in cases of central sensitization, so personalization and gradual progression are essential.
This approach seeks to improve our patients' function and quality of life; pain reduction is often a consequence of increased physical activity and movement rehabilitation. The support of our physical therapists ensures safety, motivation, and ongoing follow-up, key factors for preventing relapse and achieving therapeutic goals.
In the province of La Coruña, where the prevalence of lower back pain is one of the highest in Spain, the Ribera Assistens Medical Center offers a comprehensive approach to chronic pain treatment. With anesthesiology, rehabilitation, and physical therapy teams, postoperative follow-up protocols, and therapeutic exercise counseling led by physical therapists, our goal is to relieve pain, improve quality of life, and reduce drug dependence in our patients.
