According to the latest data, 20.4 percent of adults in the United States struggle with chronic pain. Furthermore, 7.4 percent of adults suffer from chronic pain so frequently that it limits their life or work activities.
Chronic pain is serious and can be
debilitating. Is chronic pain a disability, though? Are you eligible for
disability benefits if you struggle with this condition? Read on to find out.
What
Is Chronic Pain?
It doesn't matter
if it's chronic back pain, chronic knee pain, or any other type of
pain. Chronic pain of any kind persists for months or years
without getting better. It often occurs alongside other health conditions, too,
such as arthritis or fibromyalgia.
Chronic
Pain Symptoms
Persistent pain is the most
well-known symptom of chronic pain. People who struggle with this issue may
face other challenges as well, including sleep difficulties and mood disorders
(depression, anxiety, etc.).
What
Causes Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain may be a side effect of
a health condition like arthritis. It may also stem from an injury that never
healed properly.
For example, say someone pulled a
muscle and never took time to rehab it. They may eventually develop chronic
pain in that muscle or in the surrounding area.
Chronic
Pain Risk Factors
Anyone can develop chronic pain.
However, it is most common in those who fall into one or more of the following
categories:
- Older adults
- Those who have a previous injury
- Those who have undergone surgery
- Females
Those who are overweight or
obese are also more prone to chronic pain. This is often attributed to the fact
that the extra weight they carry places more stress on their joints, bones, and
muscles.
Is
Chronic Pain a Disability?
According to the Social
Security Administration (or SSA), the organization responsible for
administering disability benefits, chronic pain itself does not qualify as a
disability. However, you may still qualify for disability benefits if you can
prove that your chronic pain is A) caused by a condition that is considered a
disability and B) has lasted for at least 12 months.
Some conditions that are
considered disabilities by the SSA include:
- Back injuries
- Chronic renal disease
- Inflammatory arthritis
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Neurological disorders
- Somatoform disorders
It still takes a lot of work to
qualify for benefits even if you have one of these conditions. You will need to
present lab tests, physical exam results, and a diagnosis from at least one
doctor (although, the more doctors who have diagnosed you, the better).
What
to Do When Chronic Pain Becomes too Much
Even if you don't qualify for
disability benefits, there are still many steps you can take to manage chronic
pain. If your discomfort has become too much to handle, here are some strategies
you can try today:
Visit
a Doctor
The first step to treating chronic
pain is meeting with a physician.
Start by getting checked out by your
regular doctor to identify potential issues that may be causing your
chronic pain, including other health problems. Then, search online for a chronic pain doctor near me.
Look for a professional who
specializes in chronic pain management to learn about the treatment options
available to you and get a more thorough evaluation.
Work
with a Physical Therapist
Physical therapists can often be
instrumental members of your pain management team.
A physical therapist can help you
get to the root of what's causing your pain. They can also teach you exercises
that can strengthen the muscles and other tissues surrounding the affected
area.
These practices can minimize your
pain. They also reduce your chances of injuring yourself and making the pain
worse.
Exercise
Regularly
This tip may seem counterintuitive
or impossible to follow through with at first. After all, how are you supposed
to exercise when you're dealing with intense pain that makes
it difficult for you to move?
In reality, the less you move, the
stiffer and weaker your muscles and joints are going to get. This can make your
pain worse and can make you more susceptible to future injuries that will
worsen your pain.
Invest
in Psychotherapy
When you first read this tip, you
might get a little offended. The point of sharing this suggestion is not to say
that your pain is all in your head or that you're making it up, though.
Mental health challenges like
depression and anxiety can contribute
to or worsen chronic pain, though. By working with a therapist and
improving your mental well-being, you may notice that your chronic pain goes
away or at least becomes less manageable.
Change
Your Diet
Cleaning up your diet and increasing
your consumption of anti-inflammatory foods can also go a long way when it
comes to managing chronic pain.
Inflammatory foods include things
like sugar, processed carbohydrates, and alcohol. Anti-inflammatory foods, on
the other hand, include things like fruits, vegetables, fish, olive oil, and
legumes.
When your diet is composed mainly of
these foods, you will likely notice a decrease in inflammation and pain. This
kind of diet can also help with weight loss (when calories are also
controlled), which can also benefit those dealing with chronic pain.
Prioritize
Rest
Finally, make sure you're getting
plenty of sleep each night.
Poor sleep has also been linked to worsened chronic pain. If you're
staying up late or have an irregular sleep pattern, you might notice that your
pain gets worse.
Talk to your doctor about tools that
can help you fall and stay asleep, as chronic pain can also make it hard to get
comfortable and enjoy a good night's rest.
Get
Help for Chronic Pain Today
After reading through this article,
you can answer questions like "what is chronic pain?" and "is
chronic pain a disability" more easily. If you struggle with chronic pain
or know someone who does, keep this information in mind so you can
get help or help someone else improve their symptoms and quality of life.
Do you want to learn more
about chronic back pain and disability? Visit the Health section of our
site today. We have lots of great resources on pain management, disability
support, and more.
