Why Chronic Pain Goes Untreated

Chronic pain is a very real part of life for one in every three Americans, yet according to the American Pain Foundation half aren't getting adequate pain relief. Why is some of this chronic pain going untreated? The answer lies in three factors.

The Patient

Some patients feel that their pain is inevitable. That everyone hurts from something and that aches and pains are normal. Some of these people will have a fear of pain relievers, believing that they will get addicted and therefore opt out of taking their pain medication program because of this fear of addiction. Then there are others that feel that it is okay to live with pain, because many have heard in their lives "we can't do anything else, you'll have to live with it". This isn't the case. You have a right not to hurt, you have the ability to seek counseling services and psychological help for any addiction problems you may or may not encounter and you certainly don't have to live with pain because someone thinks its ok. Fight for your recovery.

The Medical Professional

There are those doctors and health professionals that just don't have the training in proper pain management. They treat the illness or disease and then when typical methods fail, they are uncertain how to proceed in the patient's recovery. There are some that are reluctant to prescribe pain medications to their patients for fear that they will become addicted to them. Then there are others that will not bring up alternative therapies when the drugs fail because they don't have faith in holistic methods. If this is the case, seek out all alternatives in your search for pain management. You deserve a well rounded treatment program.

The Insurance Company