Nearly everyone experiences some type of pain at one time or another. And while it is often acute pain that comes and goes fairly quickly, for many people it is not so fleeting.
Chronic pain – which can last for long periods of time and is usually resistant to most medical treatments – affects an estimated 86 million American adults to some degree – according to the health information Web site, www.webmd.com. Pain management can be simple or very difficult, depending on what is causing the pain.

Treatment methods

The treatment of pain is unique for each person, but most chronic pain sufferers undergo a multi-disciplinary approach, which may include pharmacologic measures, non-pharmacologic measures (such as physical therapy and exercise, and icing and/or heating) and psychological measures, according to the American Academy of Pain Management (www.aapainmanage.org). The AAPM, a non-profit organization that educates clinicians about pain management, also says there are many natural measures of pain relief, including massage, acupuncture, acupressure and biofeedback. Many times, pain can be helped but it may never completely go away. However, those with chronic pain can often be helped just by understanding the causes and treatment options, as well as how to cope with the frustrations that come along with the pain. It is important to remember that there are many new options for pain control and chances are you and your physician will be able to find a treatment that is able to provide some relief. Talk to your doctor and visit webmd.com for an interactive health check tool that will help you find out how to better manage your chronic pain.

Pain awareness month

Half of all visits to primary care physicians are pain-related, yet many of those patients are under-diagnosed and under-treated, according to the American Society of Pain Educators (ASPE). For that reason, the ASPE has launched an educational campaign to reverse these challenges. As part of the effort, the month of September has been named Pain Awareness Month. The Web site www.painawarenessmonth.org says that the focus of the awareness campaign are two critical observations: “The inadequate pain management education clinicians receive during their initial training, and the serious need for evidence-based pain management education among healthcare professionals treating the growing population of aging adults and the elderly.” For more information on Pain Awareness Month events, visit the Web site. Those who suffer from pain also can go to the site to download a pain diary that will help you chart your pain, your daily activities and any medicine you may be taking. You can then take the diary with you to your next appointment with a healthcare provider.

Fact: Half of all visits to primary care physicians are pain-related.