Did you know that pain is the most frequent reason people seek medical care in the U.S. and remains the leading cause of disability?
According to the Center for Disease Control, chronic pain, defined as pain lasting more than three months, affects approximately one in five U.S. adults. This translates to more than 50 million Americans suffering from chronic pain annually. Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that affects daily life and activities. It has been linked with depression, Alzheimer disease and related dementias, higher suicide risk, and substance use and misuse. The CDC reports that addressing chronic pain and improving the lives of persons living with pain in the United States is a public health imperative.
Beth Benton, spokesperson for Burke Health, said this week that, “Chronic pain can be caused by accidents, trauma, back disorders, degenerative joint diseases, wear and tear, or rheumatologic conditions. Treatment options may include physical therapy, interventional injections or nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation, or medication.”
Burke Health’s interventional pain management physician Dr. Jonathan Le added, “The longer you let pain go on, your brain is going to be wired for that pain. The earlier we can intervene and act upon that pain and stop the pain cycle, the better the outcomes.”
Delaying treatment can lead to chronic pain becoming more ingrained and harder to manage,” said Benton.
If you or someone you know suffers from chronic pain, talk to your primary healthcare provider about your options or call 706-702-5636 to schedule an appointment with Burke Health’s interventional pain management team
Source: https://www.thetruecitizen.com/articles/september-is-painawareness-month/