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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHalf of Americans think they'll never have a pain-free day again
NEW YORK Nearly half of Americans worry theyll never have another pain-free day in their lives. A new study asked 2,000 Americans about their daily experience and the impact on their life of dealing with aches and pains. Along with finding that 48 percent believe theyll never have a pain-free day again, the average American says they only have 13 truly pain-free days every year.
During a typical year, with the global pandemic aside, respondents pain can be so intense that it causes them to cancel plans, making a significant impact on the enjoyment of their daily lives. Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Axogen, the survey asked respondents about their experiences with chronic pain. Thirty-seven percent have received a diagnosis for chronic pain at some point, defined as ongoing pain that usually lasts longer than six months.
Among those who havent received an official diagnosis (approximately 1,200 respondents), 18 percent suspect they do in fact have chronic pain. Regardless of their diagnosis, 44 percent wish their doctor would provide more pain management solutions than prescription painkillers.
In fact, the average respondent feels six years older than they actually are due to aches and pains. Five or more times throughout the day, the average American can feel discomfort when they sit down or stand up. When it comes to pain tolerance, however, it may actually be true that women tolerate pain more than men. In fact, 65 percent of respondents agree that women have a higher pain tolerance than men.
https://www.studyfinds.org/pain-free-days-painkillers-nerve-injury/
CrispyQ
(37,907 posts)I wish they'd included age range. If this was all seniors, then I wouldn't be so surprised, but because they didn't mention age, I think it was a cross-section of ages, which makes this stat really surprising to me.
ansible
(1,718 posts)Hortensis
(58,785 posts)"received a diagnosis of chronic pain" over 6 months.
Coventina
(27,733 posts)Part of this is biology: we weren't meant to live as long as we do. We're meant to get chomped by a predator sometime before we hit 40.
Until science can fix that issue, we need to take pain management seriously in this country and that means using ALL available options, including narcotics.
But no, because some people might like to use narcotics to get high, we must punish EVERYONE!!!
Grow the f*ck up, America!
(Probably won't happen in my lifetime)
ProfessorGAC
(69,271 posts)I'm with my wife right now and she's getting a nerve block procedure for her back.
But, mild pain killers are not even on the agenda.
She was on them in the past. 30 day supply. Usually lasted 42-45 days, so clearly no evidence of abuse.
And, no refills, so prescribing doctor knows exactly how often scrip is being written.
Now, GP won't prescribe anymore (hospital corp rule), surgeon (who says surgery won't fix this) doesnt, & new pain doctor says it's strictly a last resort.
Ridiculous.
marybourg
(13,042 posts)of pain surgery.
WhiskeyGrinder
(23,610 posts)Johnny2X2X
(21,357 posts)What are the causes of the pain? Is obesity a factor?
luvs2sing
(2,225 posts)Im 64. Ive had multiple damn-if-Im-not-klutz injuries and athletic injuries. Ive had fibromyalgia and whiplash and back pain from undiagnosed scoliosis. Ive had traction, physical therapy, and TENS units. What works best to alleviate pain for me? A couple ibuprofen or Tylenol, some ice or heat, and stretching. Its not just that anything stronger causes uncontrolled vomiting with me..these things simply work better.
Raven
(14,075 posts)my hip last winter and that was painful but that pain lasted about 2 months. I hardly ever take an aspirin. BUT, I'm retired and doing things that I love to do.