Four Out Of Five Adults Will Experience Low Back Pain Sometime During Their Life @ (NAPSA)—More than 50 million Americans suffer from chronic back pain according to the American Pain Foundation andclose to one quarter (23 percent) of all chronic pain sufferers have lower back pain, according to a survey commissioned by Partners Against Pain. Yet of the patients surveyed who suffer from pain, 80 percent believe that their pain is part of a medical condition and something physicians, patients and employers alike. When not treated properly or, in many cases, not treated at all, pain can result in depression, loss of functions and many lost workdays. Back pain is the most frequent cause of lost work- days in adults underthe age of 45 after the commoncold. Fortunately, no one today has pain is the chief complaint of most to suffer in silence. Effective therapies/treatments are available and it is important for physicians and patients to realize that pain fessional, some 40 percent of sufferers are uncomfortable discussing their pain. There are several treatment options for patients who suffer with which they must live. While patients visiting a health care pro- According to a recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association, more than 26 mil- lion people between 20 and 64 years of age have frequent or persistent back pain. Thereare different types of back pain, including mild back pain (pain that is both- can be managed if diagnosed and treated properly. from back pain. Medications, including non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID), non-opioid analgesics and nondrug pain treatments, such as activity modification are com- monly used. Severe, chronic back pain may require an epidural ersome, aching, sore) and severe back pain (pain that hurts all the time, even whenresting). Doctors block, surgery, or stronger medication such as opioids, to provide pa- acute, subacute or chronic. Acute back pain can last from one to seven days, and about 80 not shy away from sharing their pain with their treating physi- usually refer to back pain as either tients with relief. It is important that patients do percent of all back pain is acute. cians. Properly describing the severity and frequency of pain Most acute back pain results from unknowncauses, but proba- bly results from minor strains, sprains and overuse. Emotional stress may also add to the pain, especially since it slows the rate of recovery. Subacute back pain usually lasts from seven days to seven weeks andis usually mild (though it can be severe) and often unrelated to other illnesses. Subacute back pain accounts for some 10-to- 20 percent of all back pain. Chronic back pain usually lasts experienced helps health care professionals prescribe the most appropriate and effective pain management regimen. Partners Against Pain is a valuable information resource for medical professionals and patients to learn more about pain management. Partners Against Pain offers free information and tools, such as a Pain Control Record and Pain Control Plan, to help manage pain. This information is available more than three months, may be on the Internet at www.partnersagainstpain.com or can be requested by writing Partners five-to-ten percent of all back pain. Pain is a growing problem for Forum, Department M, Stamford, Connecticut, 06901-3431. mild or severe and accounts for Against Pain at One Stamford
