Chronic pain affects 4 in 10 Americans. At least 116 million adults in America live with chronic pain. That makes it one of our biggest national health challenges. There are more people who are affected by chronic pain than people who have heart disease, cancer or diabetes – combined.i

People assume pain comes with getting older. We are taught to just “tough it out.” I respectfully disagree! Chronic pain is a serious health issue. Most of the time, when patients and doctors work together, they can manage it successfully.

Chronic pain comes in many forms, and can be caused by many different conditions. Two things are common for everyone and can be very dangerous:

1) Ignoring chronic pain or “blocking it out” means ignoring what our body is trying to tell us.
2) Not getting help for chronic pain can make things worse.

It is important to pay attention to pain. We have tools that can help us. If you or someone you know suffers from chronic pain that cannot be relieved by medicines like Tylenol or Advil, schedule an appointment with your doctor.

Sometimes where we feel the pain may not be where the problem is. And, the amount of pain may not match how serious the problem really is. There are doctors who specialize in pain management. They can be very helpful in getting your life back on course.

I know for me, pain makes me weary. It affects my emotions, strength, endurance, attitude, productivity and creativity. And the burden is not just mine alone, either. When I experience prolonged pain, it also impacts the lives of others around me.

Chronic pain management is an ongoing process. It usually involves lifestyle choices, like what we eat and how much we exercise, or whether we smoke and drink alcohol. It may also involve psychological or stress management approaches. Almost always, a good pain management program will involve changing our behavior or habits to help prevent pain symptoms. If chronic pain is because of an underlying disease like diabetes, then managing the diabetes is necessary to help manage the pain.

Here are some key steps to a good pain management process:

1. Prevent - Find out what makes you have more or less pain. Try to stop the pain before it starts.
2. Assess - See your doctor for a careful diagnosis and to see how the treatment is working.
3. Treat - Talk to your doctor about the best way to treat your chronic pain.
4. Manage - Listen to your doctor and work on the plan they give you:

•  Know what causes more or less pain.
•  Start a regular routine of activity. Be wise about how long you do this activity.
•  Start a regular routine for when and how you take your medication.
•  Get help with everyday tasks.
•  Know your limits if you are having pain. Rest if you have to.

5. Understand - Pain is a message from your body through your nerves to your brain. It is worth the effort to keep it in check.

Constant pain every day is more than an interruption in a person’s life. It is a major issue! Don’t just live with it; get help. See your doctor or clinician. They can help you get in a daily routine to meet your needs and will help you manage the pain.

For more information on Pain Management, including descriptions of many types of pain and the diseases that cause them, check out WebMD at http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/default.htm

ⁱ Relieving Pain in America – A Blueprint for Transforming Prevention, Care, Education and Research, Institute of Medicine, June 2011