Chronic Pain: Millions Suffer, Missing Non-Drug Options

Chronic pain: Millions suffer, missing non-drug options

 

Many people with chronic pain are terrified that if they move, they will damage themselves further. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Story Highlights

·         Chronic pain affects 100 million U.S. adults.

·         And it costs the nation upwards of $635 billion a year.

·         Exercise, acupuncture and other non-drug treatments show promise

.         NRCT may be your solution

Though chronic pain is often hidden from the USA's front pages and TV screens, it is actually Americans' biggest health problem. Chronic pain — typically defined as pain lasting more than three to six months — affects 100 million adult Americans, according to a 2011 report from the Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academy of Sciences. In 2010, that was more than 40% of the adult population. It is the leading reason people go to doctors and it costs the nation upwards of $635 billion a year — more than cancer, heart disease and diabetes combined.

Despite the prevalence of chronic pain, many people, including many physicians, are unaware of the growing number of non-narcotic treatments, backed up by considerable research.

To read more about non-drug solutions to chronic pain, click here