The Prevalence of Pain in our Society   

Pain can be categorised as acute pain and persistent or chronic pain. Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that can lead to many other problems including; strain on marriages or long term relationships, the development of negative beliefs in patients who tie their inability to get rid of the pain to a feeling of weakness of character, unpleasant side effects of pain killers ( such as constipation, weight gain and tiredness. ) Migraine headaches, back pain, arthritis are among the types of chronic pain that people suffer.

Pain is a much greater problem in our society than most people realize.

A typical survey of any population will find that:

1. Around 20% of individuals over the age of eighteen report that they are currently experiencing pain or are regularly troubled with pain.
2. At least 35% of households include one or more persons who are currently experiencing pain or are regularly troubled with pain.
3. Females report a higher pain prevalence than males.
4. The incidence of pain increases with age.
5. The pain conditions are typically: located in the back (33%), followed by head and neck (24%); leg (22%).
6. Pain levels are described as discomforting by 40% and as either distressing, horrible or excruciating by 45%.
7. More than 70% of sufferers have lived with their pain for more than three years with 60% reporting either daily or continuous pain.
8. The most common cause for the pain was spontaneous or unknown (55%) or work related ( 21%).

Pain Treatment 

Chronic pain often results from conditions that are difficult to diagnose and treat, and that may take a long time to reverse.

Management strategies for chronic pain include pain killing medications, and complementary therapies (such as acupuncture and massage).

The medications available for the management of chronic pain include; aspirin and aspirin like drugs, paracetamol, opioid drugs, such as codeine and morphine and local anaesthetics.

Increased muscle tension can further aggravate chronic pain and therefore relaxation techniques which can reduce muscle tension and stress, have shown that sufferers who practice relaxation are better able to cope with their pain. 

Despite all of the treatments available, because in many cases there are limits to the pain relief medical treatments can provide, many people with chronic pain are forced to live with their pain for many years.

The one bright point is Acupuncture, long a major method of pain relief in the East, the advent of pain relief patches has recently made this methodology a popular pain management tool in western countries as well.