prevention of chronic pain

Pain disorder may be prevented by early intervention, for example, at the onset of pain or in the early stages of recurring pain. When pain becomes chronic, it is especially important to find help or learn about and implement strategies to manage the distress before inactivity and hopelessness develop. Most patients will contact their primary care physician at the first signs of pain and then are referred to a pain specialist and a mental health professional. Many physicians will reassure the patient that a referral for psychological help is not stigmatizing and in no way minimizes the experience of pain or the medical condition. It does not imply that the physician believes the pain is imaginary. In fact, the accepted IASP definition of pain fully recognizes that all pain is, in part, an emotional response to actual damage or the threat of damage.

In conclusion, chronic pain affects everyone in some shape or form. It can greatly disrupt the lives of loved ones, husbands, wives, children, parents, and neighbors alike. It does not discriminate between social-economic classes, ethnicity, or even gender. Only when we understand the causes and symptoms of chronic pain can we move towards a lifestyle of prevention and successful treatment options. Hopefully this introduction has provided some of the basic information on chronic pain and can serve as a foundation to build upon. For further information on chronic pain, please refer to the next article in the series, "Why Chronic Pain Hurts". It will not only explain why we hurt physiologically and emotionally, but also provide methods of achieving control over pain.

References

Bonica JJ. The Management of Pain. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1990: 234-246.

National Institute of Health – www.nih.gov NIH Manual: Management of Chronic Pain; 2001.

Woolf, CJ Pain: moving from symptom control toward mechanism specific pharmacological management. Add Intern Med 2004:441-445.

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 4th ed. American: American Psychiatric Pub, 2000: 623-625.

Food and Drug Administration - www.fda.gov Managing Chronic Pain; 2004.

International Association for the study of Pain – www.Isap-pain.org

Posted August 2008

Disclaimer: The Content is not intended as a guide to self-medication or as a substitute for proper medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This healthcare content is for reference only and should not be used to determine treatment for specific medical conditions. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.