Chronic Pain Relief: What Treatments Work Best?

Living with chronic pain can feel overwhelming. Whether it's persistent back pain, joint stiffness, or muscle aches that just won’t go away, chronic pain impacts everything—from how well you sleep to how easily you move through daily life.

At BASS Medical Group, our pain specialists, primary care physicians, and physical therapists work together to help patients across the San Francisco Bay Area find long-term relief. Here's what you need to know about chronic pain and the best treatment options available today.

What Is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts longer than three months, even after the initial injury or condition has healed. It may come and go, or it can be constant. Unlike acute pain—such as a sprained ankle—chronic pain can linger for months or even years.

Common symptoms of chronic pain include:

• Aches or burning sensations in muscles or joints
• Pain that doesn’t improve with rest
• Fatigue and sleep disturbances
• Depression or anxiety caused by long-term discomfort

Chronic pain can affect nearly any part of the body, but the most common areas are the lower back, neck, shoulders, and knees.

Common Causes of Chronic Pain

Many chronic pain conditions begin after an injury, but not all have a clear origin. Some of the most frequent causes include:

• Back injuries or spine disorders
• Arthritis or osteoarthritis
• Fibromyalgia or widespread muscle pain
• Migraines or tension headaches
• Nerve damage or neuropathy
• Post-surgical pain
• Chronic illnesses like diabetes, IBS, or cancer

If your pain is interfering with daily activities, it’s time to see a specialist.

Chronic Back Pain: One of the Most Common Complaints

Back pain affects up to 80% of people at some point in their lives. When that pain becomes chronic—lasting more than 12 weeks—it can severely limit your mobility and independence.

Back pain may stem from:

• Herniated or bulging spinal discs
• Muscle strain or spasms
• Spinal stenosis or arthritis
• Osteoporosis

BASS Medical Group offers comprehensive spine and orthopedic evaluations to help identify the root cause of your pain and get you back on your feet.

Effective Chronic Pain Treatments

Chronic pain relief often requires a personalized treatment plan. At BASS Medical Group, we combine medical expertise with compassionate care to offer a variety of evidence-based solutions:

1. Physical Therapy

Targeted exercises can strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and reduce inflammation—especially for back, neck, and joint pain.

2. Pain Management & Injections

Options like nerve blocks, epidural steroid injections, and trigger point injections can provide significant short-term and long-term relief.

3. Medications

Over-the-counter pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and topical treatments may be used. In some cases, prescription medications are needed under close supervision.

4. Lifestyle Counseling

Weight management, sleep improvement, posture training, and stress reduction techniques can all support long-term pain relief.

5. Surgical Options

For severe cases that don’t respond to other treatments, surgical intervention may be necessary to correct structural problems.

Why See a Pain Specialist?

Chronic pain can take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being. Our multidisciplinary care team includes physicians who specialize in Pain Medicine, Orthopedics, Primary Care, and Physical Therapy—giving you the comprehensive support you need.

We offer care across the Bay Area, including Walnut Creek, Oakland, Brentwood, Concord, and more.

Get the Chronic Pain Relief You Deserve

You don’t have to suffer in silence. If you’ve been dealing with long-term pain, let the compassionate providers at BASS Medical Group help you find relief. Early treatment can prevent further complications and improve your quality of life.

Request an appointment today to speak with a chronic pain specialist at BASSMedicalGroup.com.