Pediatric chronic pain is a growing problem in the United States. According to recent statistics, 1 in 5 children between the ages of 7 and 18 report that they have weekly headaches, and nearly 1 in 10 experience regular abdominal pain. Additionally, 14 percent say they frequently deal with back pain, and four percent are plagued by musculoskeletal pain.

The biggest concern, however, may be that more children are experiencing chronic pain on a regular basis. According to research published in the journal Pediatrics, the number of children admitted to the hospital due to chronic pain rose from 143 in 2004, to 1,188 in 2010 – an increase of 831 percent. With a growing need for pediatric pain treatment, it’s no wonder that more than 30 hospitals nationwide have opened pediatric pain centers of the past few years. These centers provide children with:

• Specialized care

• Acupuncture sessions

• Unique exercise facilities

• Sleep specialists

• Extensive outpatient therapy treatment

“Kids may be having more pain than in previous generations, but physicians are also more attentive to it and doing more about it,” said Dr. Navil Sethna, clinical director of the rehabilitation center at the Mayo Family Pediatric Pain Rehabilitation Center, one of the top pediatric pain centers in America. Clinics like the Mayo Family Center focus on treating difficult chronic conditions, like fibromyalgia, frequent migraines or ailments resulting from a virus or other injury.

Dr. Lonnie Zektzer, director of the children’s pain and comfort care program at Mattel Children’s Hospital ULCA, said he’s referred children to the Mayo Family Center, and those types of clinics are growing in demand.

“Such programs are becoming more of a trend because they’re so badly needed.”

Pain Management vs. Pain Cure

For many of these facilities, curing the pain is the ultimate goal, but that’s not always possible. Instead, these clinics focus on helping children manage their pain and strengthen their bodies so they experience a gradual reduction in pain over time.

“We teach them how to handle any pain that comes from getting jostled in a hallway or gym class,” said Jenna Duckworth, an occupational therapist who works at the Mayo Family Pediatric Rehabilitation Center.

Judy Gaughan, a nurse and clinical coordinator at the same facility echoed Duckworth’s sentiments, saying, “The treatment goal is to maintain and regain function, not a complete alleviation of pain.”

The center notes that nearly 90 percent of children who finish their program still experience pain symptoms, but the majority report a gradual reduction over several months as they return to normal life.

A 2012 study also shows that the center is improving chronic conditions in children without heavy reliance on painkillers. Nearly all of the 56 children admitted to the program during its first year were taking fewer prescription pain medications 10 months after discharge, the children on meds were usually on a non-addictive preventative drug, and 30 percent weren’t on pain meds at all.

Related source: Boston Globe