Chronic pain

Pain is the most common reason why people seek medical attention. It is the major symptom reported in over 80 percent of all visits to physicians. Although we try to avoid pain, it is necessary for our survival. Pain alerts us to dangerous or harmful situations, and pain forces us to rest and recover from injury. But chronic pain, pain that continues long past the healing of a wound, or pain that is associated with a chronic disease does not serve a useful function. If you’ve ever had your back “go out” or a headache that lasted for days, you have an idea of the suffering people experience with chronic pain from arthritis, cancer, migraine or tension headache, and neuralgia, for example. They experience the same kind of pain you feel from your bad back of your headache, except that their pain doesn’t go pressed, and dependent on others, with a consequent loss of self-esteem. Their social lives and personal relationships are profoundly affected, their sporting and other activities are considerably curtailed, and some forced to quit their jobs. Doctors may prescribe pain medications to which the patient can become addicted. In some cases, surgey may be an option, but it isn’t always successful.