One Out of Four People in the U.S. Suffers from Chronic Pain
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Chronic Pain Care Center Uses Customized
Treatments to Empower Patients
CHICAGO, June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Almost everyone can relate to a pounding
headache that interrupts day-to-day activities. But imagine being in that
pain for 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is the type of pain
that chronic pain patients experience every day. Chronic pain affects
86 million Americans, causing the brain to constantly and mercilessly fire
pain signals to the nervous system for weeks, months, even years.*
It is difficult for medical personnel to detect, is associated with several
other conditions, can be elusive to modern medical treatments, and, amazingly,
has only recently been classified as a disorder by healthcare organizations.
"Pain is the number one reason people go to see their physician," said R.
Norman Harden, MD, a neurologist and Medical Director of the Rehabilitation
Institute of Chicago Chronic Pain Care Center, located at 1030 North Clark
Street in Chicago. "The prevalence of chronic pain and the range of
diseases that are associated with it have forced the medical community to
finally acknowledge the fact that chronic pain is a serious problem, one
that requires a unique set of treatments."
A MISUNDERSTOOD CONDITION
Until recently, health organizations have treated pain as a symptom of a
larger problem. In many cases, pain was considered to be the result
of an injury or disease and merely a part of the healing process. And
due to the subjective nature of pain, the medical community faced several
challenges in both evaluating the disorder and pinpointing its causes.
"The biggest obstacle we have to overcome is assessing a patient's pain,
because each person's perception of pain is different," said Dr. Harden.
"The only way to 'measure' someone's pain is by measuring their improved
functions and decreased disability, depression and anxiety. That's
why we tailor pain management therapy for each individual patient, as opposed
to a 'one size fits all' approach."
"Another huge obstacle to overcome is gaining the patient's trust," continued
Dr. Harden. "Many come to the Chronic Pain Care Center after going
through multiple tests, doctors and treatments with no clear answer to the
cause of their pain. Most important, they are still in serious discomfort
and feel that it is something they will have to live with."
PAIN DISORDERS LEAD TO EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER
Part of the confusion regarding chronic pain is the fact that it is tied
to several other disorders such as fibromyalgia, lower back pain, migraines,
and arthritis. Many of these disorders are a direct result of another disease
with which the patient is suffering. However, fibromyalgia, for instance,
has no known cause, which makes it difficult to diagnose. Many patients
see several doctors and try several treatments before they are correctly
diagnosed and treated.
In addition to affecting the patient physically, chronic pain may cause mental
anguish. Researchers have found a connection between mind and body
in which misery leads to stress, and stress leads to pain. The cycle
can be repeated over and over again until the patient can break through the
cycle by using the appropriate pain management methods.
"Many chronic pain patients have been suffering for so long, they'll try
almost anything to relieve their pain," said Dr. Harden. "Therefore,
most of my patients are receptive to what might be considered unconventional
pain management treatments, including occupational therapy, exercises that
focus on the mind-body connection and social setting therapy."
MEETING A COMMUNITY NEED
Today, it is required that medical professionals assess and treat a patient's
pain. Just last January, the Joint Commission of American Healthcare
Organizations (JCAHO) a national accrediting board, defined pain as the "fifth
vital sign" along with heart rate, pulse, body temperature and blood pressure.
However, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Chronic Pain Care Center
has recognized the importance of identifying pain as a specific condition
for years.
What makes the Chronic Pain Care Center different from other pain centers
is that it focuses on treating the whole patient, as well as the disorder.
The Center has adopted an interdisciplinary approach for the treatment of
chronic pain that teams up physicians specializing in neurology and physical
medicine and rehabilitation, physical therapists, occupational therapists
and psychologists. The team customizes programs for each individual
that focuses on a combination of exercises, physical therapy, medication
and patient education.
"Doctors no longer believe that treatment for pain comes exclusively in the
form of a pill or injection," said Dr. Harden. "We are not trying to
mask the pain or give instant gratification with medication. We teach
techniques that our patients can do at home, are affordable and promotes
self-management of the disorder. Patient education is our most valuable resource
and one of the reasons why so many of our patients are able to live normal
lives."
Today, several non-traditional methods are also utilized to give patients'
an overall sense of well being. The Center designs programs for each patient
that could include exercises such as yoga, Pilates, and the Feldenkrais method
and exercises in how to deal with pain at work and home. The Center
examines the biological, psychological and sociological aspects of a patient's
life to help ensure that the quality of life can improve. Because of the
interdisciplinary approach and the simplicity of the techniques the Center
teaches, more than 90 percent of the patients have said they would recommend
the Center to others and 60 percent report a significant decrease in the
pain they are feeling, according to Dr. Harden.
"The goal of the Chronic Pain Care Center is to bring the best quality of
life to our patients by teaching them how to manage their pain at home,"
said Dr. Harden. "They no longer have to feel isolated from their family
and are able to enjoy their lives again."
SOURCE Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
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