It could be me or it could be anyone reading this blog. The statistics on Americans suffering from chronic pain are alarming: 1 in 5 adults or 50 million people, according to national surveys. Across the country, providers are doing poorly at recognizing and treating chronic pain.
It should be no surprise that overdose deaths have also risen significantly, national reports show. When pain is unresolved, people may choose any means to ease distress, including avenues that could prove lethal.
Chronic pain also affects worker productivity. The reasons for this are complex, but chronic pain affects three aspects of work: ability to work a planned schedule, individual wages, and worker productivity (days missed due to discomfort).
What is chronic pain?
Chronic pain is defined as pain that continues for greater than 3 months, either with or without a clear etiology. However, there are exceptions. Consider the case of Tiger Woods. While his extensive injuries may eventually cause chronic pain, the initial healing from vehicular trauma, surgery, and compound fractures could take longer than 3 months. His pain, while in the recovery phase, would still be considered acute in nature.
Types of chronic pain may involve cancer pain, musculoskeletal pain, neuropathic pain
