At least 50 precent of the U.S. population are struggling to cope either with the aggravation of intermittent pain or with the misery of chronic pain which is difficult to treat. This results in less work, crankier moods and fewer activities, combined with a wide-ranging search for pain relief.
Most people it appears can identify where they hurt, but are often unable to link that pain to a specific cause.
Researchers carrying out a recent nationwide survey on what works for pain relief, found to their surprise, that just as many people cite prayers as prescription drugs.
The survey was sponsored by Stanford University Medical Center, ABC News and USA Today. Pollsters queried 1,204 adults by phone, April 13-19, 2005. The results have a three-point error margin. The survey resulted in some significant findings.
Back pain was by far the most common issue and knees and shoulders were also a problem. About one-quarter of all respondents cited back pain as their most recent difficulty, and another quarter cited joint pain. Nearly one-tenth said they suffered from headaches.
As many as 50% were able to identify a specific medical condition or injury behind their most recent painful experience, but just as many could not. Among those who could, injury or accident was the most common culprit, followed by arthritis.
About four in 10 people cited interference with each of these quality-of-life indicators: work and other duties, mood, day-to-day activities, sleep and enjoyment of life. Many had, out of desperation, tried everything from over-the-counter drugs to alcohol, but when it came to effectiveness, prayer and prescription drugs come out on top.
Raymond Gaeta, MD, associate professor of anaesthesia at the Stanford School of Medicine and director of pain management services at Stanford Hospital & Clinics, says pain has been a hidden disease, receiving far less attention than other diseases, but there is a growing recognition that pain really is not just the sensation we have but something that interferes with every one of us and with life.
The experience of pain in America has been carefully documented in the new survey, Gary Langer, director of polling for ABC News says it is very unusual to have an independent, rigorous, national random-sample survey on the subject of pain. The survey he says, puts the issue of pain out before a broader public, and underscores the serious public health problem that exists regarding pain in the U.S.A.
The researchers found that the incidence of pain is significant. About 60 percent of respondents said their most recent pain episode had occurred within just the last month, and about 40 percent said pain plagues them often.
Most people, about 80%, when in physical distress sets in, go for over-the-counter drugs and home remedies. Prescription drugs, bed rest and prayer constitute second-string remedies and about six in 10 respondents have tried those.