Millions of Americans are affected by chronic pain everyday including problems associated with back, neck, headache, and arthritis pain according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics. While low back pain is the most frequent complaint reported by the National Institutes of Health, 43 million are affected by arthritis and almost 45 million adults experience disabling headaches. With costs totaling an estimated $90 billion in medical bills, lost working days, lost income, and workers compensation, chronic pain costs more than cancer and heart disease costs combined. 

“Chronic pain occurs when an individual experiences constant pain or pain with specific motion that hasn’t resolved after eight weeks. Chronic pain can be caused by an injury, structural problems, genetics, poor posture, and inactivity,” says Katie Burns Ryan, DC, an associate professor and faculty clinician at Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, Minn. “However, postural and inactivity-related chronic pain seems to happen most frequently.”

Because chronic pain is so complex, there are several treatment options.  The type of therapy depends on age, gender, race or ethnicity, cultural beliefs, and the patient’s condition. Dr. Burns Ryan says, “Chronic pain, to a doctor of chiropractic, indicates there have been long-term factors leading up to the individual’s presentation of pain.  Treatment is completed when all of the patient’s issues have been addressed and they have the ability to be proactive in their treatment to avoid further conditions.”

 Dr. Burns Ryan suggests the following methods to decrease problems associated with chronic pain and to promote healthy lifestyle changes:

• Chiropractic care. “A chiropractic treatment is centered on an adjustment, which treats subluxations,” says Dr. Burns Ryan. “A subluxation is a joint that no longer has the appropriate positioning and range of motion that then alters the body’s structure which in turn alters the body’s functions. Symptoms can include tight muscles, tingling, numbness, and the inability to use the joint. Structure is linked directly to function. By improving structure, we improve the function. Chiropractic care allows you to experience well-rounded treatment and still benefit from the results 20 years down the road.”
• Acupuncture. Studies suggest that acupuncture may provide relief for sufferers with low back pain, headaches, migraines, and osteoarthritis. By inserting fine needles into your skin, acupuncture works by releasing endorphins, stimulating the spinal cord, and promoting blood flow changes.
• Exercise. “One of the most vital ways to eliminate pain is to become physically active.  If the pain is severe, try swimming, which doesn’t place too much strain on the back,” suggests Dr. Burns Ryan. Exercise helps the body release endorphins (the body’s natural pain killer), increase energy, develop strength, enhance flexibility or range of motion, lower stress levels, and burn calories. “Weight control is important because the back is already holding up the torso, arms, and head; additional weight is straining on an already stressed area.”
• Nutritional supplements. Taking fish oils and glucosamine may help if there is chronic inflammation of a joint. Glucosamine, found naturally in the body, forms and repairs cartilage while fish oil can be used as an anti-flammatory because it contains omega-3 fatty acids. “Although some inflammation is necessary to help repair the body, it is important to keep it controlled. Chronic inflammation is associated with many chronic degenerative conditions including cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, arthritis, and dementia,” says, Paul Ratté, ND, a naturopathic practitioner at Northwestern Health Sciences University’s Woodwinds Natural Care Center in Woodbury, Minn. Chondroitin, another suggested supplement, is a structural component of cartilage and provides elasticity. Always consult your doctor before taking any new supplements.
• Integrative Therapies. This term refers to chronic pain treatment using a combination of the best therapies in complementary medicine with more traditional forms. Dr. Burns Ryan says, “Depending on the diagnosis and the patient, a well-rounded treatment plan, in which doctors of chiropractic and medical doctors are working in unity, can significantly increase recovery time while decreasing their discomfort.”

Sources: Natural News Service, Northwestern Health Sciences University (March 2007)