Understanding Chronic Pain
A compassionate look into the realities of chronic pain—discussing the myths, sharing evidence-based facts, and offering hope, guidance, and support for the millions of people navigating life with persistent pain.
The Reality of Chronic Pain
Understanding the scope and impact of chronic pain in our communities
Americans
Live with chronic pain daily
High-Impact
Experience severe daily limitations
Annual Cost
Economic impact in the US
Adults
live with Chronic Pain
Cause
of long-term disability in the US
Are More Likely
to Suffer from Chronic Pain
Myths vs Facts
Separating misconceptions from medical reality
MYTH
You should just push through the pain. It's a sign of weakness to stop.
FACT
Ignoring pain can lead to more serious problems, including worsening the injury and prolonging the recovery. Pain is a signal from your body that something is wrong. Listening to it is a sign of strength and self-care.
MYTH
If a doctor can't find the cause, the pain must be psychological or 'all in your head.
FACT
Pain is a complex experience that involves physical, emotional, and psychological factors. Even when there's no visible injury, the pain is real. Conditions like fibromyalgia and nerve pain are real physical ailments that may not show up on an X-ray or MRI.
MYTH
Only elderly people suffer from chronic pain.
FACT
While the prevalence of pain does increase with age, it affects people of all ages, including children and adolescents. Conditions like juvenile arthritis and chronic migraines can start in childhood.
MYTH
If the pain is bad enough, surgery is the only way to fix it.
FACT
For many chronic pain conditions, non-surgical treatments are highly effective and are often the first course of action. These can include physical therapy, medication, acupuncture, mindfulness, and other interventions.
MYTH
The best way to manage chronic pain is through strong pain medication.
FACT
While medication can be an important part of a treatment plan, it's not the only or always the best solution. Over-reliance on medication can have side effects and lead to dependency. A multi-modal approach combining medication with physical and psychological therapies is often the most effective and safest long-term strategy.