Understanding Chronic Pain

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Understanding Chronic Pain
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What Is Chronic Pain?

• Chronic pain is a condition that affects as many
  as 1 in 5 Canadian adults, with resulting costs
  in extended medical care, reduced quality of
  life, and often emotional and psychological
  pain.1
• Generally defined as lasting longer than three
  months,2 chronic pain can vary in its level of
  severity, duration, and the complex of symptoms
  that result.
• Potential effects of uncontrolled chronic pain
  are significant, especially without treatment.
  Evidence shows that it can compromise immune
  function and even promote tumor growth.1

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Impact of Chronic Pain

• Chronic pain can strike many types of people, but
  according to surveys by Statistics Canada done in
  1996, 1997, and 2005, 38 percent of seniors
  living in health-care institutions report chronic
  pain, the majority of them women.2 In 64 percent
  of these cases, pain interferes with daily
  activities.
• Another survey indicates that millions of
  Canadians suffer with chronic pain every day, 72
  percent of them for more than 12 hours a day,
  even after trying multiple treatments. The result
  is limited ability to cope with daily activities,
  work, and family relationships.3
• Many accident victims suffer chronic pain, which
  can be part of a complex of after-effects,
  including depression, anxiety, sleep disorders,
  and post-traumatic stress disorder.

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Causes of Chronic Pain

• Chronic pain can be the result of many different
  factors, from physical to psychological. A few
  common causes are found, including
• Post-operative pain that becomes chronic after
  many common surgical procedures
• Musculoskeletal pain, such as low back pain,
  herniated discs and more
• Injuries from trauma, such as auto accidents1
• RSD or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, also known
  as CRPS, or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

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Assessing Diagnosing Chronic Pain

• It is difficult to assess the reasons for chronic
  pain. Diagnosis often depends on patient
  reporting and description of symptoms, and may
  take years to understand and resolve. Many
  patients are left with a lifelong condition.
• One new study found that on average, patients
  suffer chronic pain for six years, and one in
  eight people undergo pain for around 15 years.3
  The same study showed that 72 percent have tried
  an average of 2.4 different treatments, yet
  remain in pain.
• Personal injury leading to chronic pain can be a
  life-changing event that lasts for months or
  years.

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Treatment Options for Chronic Pain

• Many in the medical community advocate for more
  understanding and multi-disciplinary approaches
  to pain management. The complex nature of pain
  requires a unique approach to treatment for each
  individual.
• Up to 30 percent of pain is handled with
  medication, according to one source,3 and some
  patients report good results with innovative
  treatments like Trans Epidermal Neurostimulation
  (TENS), Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS), and a
  combination of physical and sometimes
  psychological therapy.
• Traditional and alternative treatments can be
  used to determine the most effective combination
  for each individual, from acupuncture to surgery.4

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Cascading Effects of Pain

• Individuals who find little relief from treatment
  or who lose hope of improvement, may fall into
  other, related disorders. Some common ones
  include
• Depression common symptoms include feelings of
  helplessness and hopelessness, uncontrollable
  negative thoughts, withdrawing from social
  interactions
• Sleep Disorder characterized by difficulty
  falling and staying asleep, irritability and
  sleepiness during the day, impaired ability to
  concentrate, and more
• Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  symptoms include widespread symmetrical muscle
  pain, progressive disability and fatigue, anxiety

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Legal Solutions for Pain from Traumatic Injury

• At times, litigation is required to obtain
  damages for pain and suffering as the result of
  an auto accident or other personal injury event.
• Compensation may be due for loss of income,
  impairment to daily functioning, need for
  rehabilitation or home care, and more.
• Legal representation can assist in determining
  fault and making a claim. An accident lawyer
  should provide ongoing assistance to ensure that
  you understand the laws governing your situation.

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• Edson Legal, led by Barry Edson, has a 30-year
  history of successfully representing the disabled
  and injured for thousands of accident and
  disability claims.
• The Edson team takes pride in our reputation for
  establishing many important legal precedents, as
  well as recovering millions of dollars in
  settlements and payments for clients. We work on
  your behalf to obtain the kind of rehabilitation
  and treatment you need.
• The right lawyer will help you obtain a fair
  settlement or judgment, and ultimately, the right
  compensation. Contact us for a free consultation
  at www.edsonlegal.com, or call now at
  1-855-702-3119.

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Sources
1.http//www.positivelivingbc.org/news/140918/dr-m
arla-battling-chronic-pain 2. http//www.cbc.ca/ne
ws/canada/british-columbia/1-in-5-canadians-strugg
les-with-chronic-pain-1.2622277 3.
http//www.stockhouse.com/news/press-releases/2014
/10/14/the-canadian-pain-coalition-states-urgency-
to-improve-chronic-pain-awareness 4.
http//www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues
/spring11/articles/spring11pg5-6.html