Kansas City Star 9/6/06
Treatment Can Help People Who Are Living With
Pain
There is a hidden epidemic in Missouri
that robs one in four people of life’s pleasures. Pain
in all of its forms is a problem no matter where you live.
The National Institute of
Health estimates that pain costs the U.S. economy $100 billion
every year due to illness and lost work days. Pain interferes
with sleep, social activities, hobbies, sex, and even how you
think. Pain isolates a person and takes away dignity and hope.
But, there is hope, with treatment.
Taking control of pain can be hard work. The first step is to
admit that there is a problem. Pain that lasts for more than
two weeks, called chronic pain, is often ignored. Many people
suffer silently until it becomes impossible to avoid seeking
help. Even then, there are barriers to treatment due to a shortage
of physicians that treat pain, limitations of insurance, distance
needed to travel for care and other factors.
The good news is that effective medications and procedures to
help control pain do exist. It is important to learn about these,
as well as other treatments like physical or occupational therapy,
massage, and counseling, which are essential. Good pain control
improves focus on work, enjoyment of relationships, and participation
in social activities.
There is strength in numbers. Recently, a group
of 40 regional and state organizations, including the Missouri
Pain Initiative
and the American Society for Pain Management Nursing - Kansas
City Chapter got together in order to combine knowledge and resources.
We want to spread this message of hope and improve pain care
in our state. We have organized activities during National Pain
Awareness Month in September including: multiple community presentations
on pain; a seminar for pain professionals on September 16th;
and we will spend a day at the state capital September 13th helping
our elected officials better understand the problems facing pain
sufferers. For more information on how to schedule a community
presentation or to view a calendar of events go to www.missouripain.org or send an e-mail to info@missouripain.org.
Clara Applegate, MD, President, Missouri Pain Initiative, West
Plains, Missouri
Laura Textor, MSN, RN, President-Elect, American Society for
Pain Management Nursing - Kansas City Chapter, Kansas City, Missouri
Dr. Applegate and Ms. Textor are members of the Changing the
Face of Pain in Missouri Collaborative, an alliance of health
care organizations working to improve the care of Missourians
in pain.
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Information
About Pain