By Jenn Reese, BSH, MBA
Director, Blanchard Valley Pain Management

Why is Pain Awareness Important?
With an increased focus on pain awareness this month, pain management care team members are dedicated to educating the community on the impact of chronic pain. The purpose of highlighting pain awareness is to instill a greater understanding among healthcare professionals, individuals, and families who are struggling with pain management. The same applies to the business community, legislators, and the general public, as pain is a serious public health issue. 

What is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is defined as ongoing or recurrent pain which lasts beyond the usual course of acute illness or injury, or more than three to six months, and which adversely affects the individual’s well-being. Chronic pain can have an impact on nearly every area of your life—physically, psychologically, personally and professionally. 

How can Chronic Pain be Alleviated?
Everyday lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising, participating in life and quitting smoking, can help alleviate some of this pain. However, there are times when these healthy lifestyle changes aren’t enough for the individual experiencing chronic pain. When additional medical attention is needed, a pain management program can help.

How Prevalent is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is in no way uncommon, impacting 100 million people. More individuals suffer from chronic pain than diabetes (26 million), heart disease (24 million), and cancer (13 million) combined.

As the leading cause of disability and a major contribution to healthcare costs, pain is cited as the most common reason Americans access a healthcare system. When asked about four common types of pain, respondents of a National Institutes of Health Statistics survey indicated that low back pain was the most common (27%), followed by severe headache or migraine pain (15%), neck pain (15%) and facial ache or pain (4%). Back pain is the leading cause of disability in Americans under 45 years old. More than 26 million Americans between the ages of 20-64 experience frequent back pain.

Chronic pain also affects the individual’s quality of life. More than 70% of those who suffer pain report feelings of depression, trouble concentrating, less energy and the inability to sleep well.

A professional pain management team creates individualized treatment plans for patients based on several considerations, including the cause and level of pain. Diagnoses commonly treated at a pain management center include neck and back pain, headaches, diabetic neuropathy, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), nerve damage and pain associated with arthritis, muscle spasms and shingles.