More Patients Seeking Chronic Pain Treatments Without Opioids

February 11, 2022 / Thomas Cohn, MD

A growing number of US adults with chronic pain are pursuing a combination of non-drug and non-opioid approaches to control and treat their condition, which is an encouraging sign.

As we’ve talked about on the blog in the past, pain medications can play an important role in a comprehensive chronic pain treatment program, but oftentimes other active treatments provide more benefits and do not pose the same risks as potentially-addictive pain opioids. A recent poll found that 55 percent of adults with chronic pain used pain management techniques that did not involve any opioids at all over the surveyed three-month period. 11 percent of respondents used both opioids and non-opioid techniques, and only four percent said they only used opioids for chronic pain management. However, 30 percent of patients with chronic pain said they did not pursue any pain management techniques over the three-month period.

Other Chronic Pain Findings

Here’s a closer look at some of the findings from the survey:

Complementary therapies were the most commonly used non-opioid pain management technique (35% of adults), followed by physical, occupational or rehabilitative therapies (19%).

5% of patients pursued self-management programs, 4% underwent cognitive behavioral therapy, and 2% sought out peer support groups.

39 percent of adults said they pursued non-opioid chronic pain treatments that weren’t expressly mentioned by the survey.

Participants using complementary and psychological or psychotherapeutic interventions were more likely to be younger women with more education.

Prescription opioid use for chronic pain management was more common among older adults between the ages of 45 and 64 years compared to those aged 18 to 44 years (19% vs 8%).

Prescription opioid use was also more common among women than men (17% vs. 13%), in adults with health insurance compared to those without (16% vs. 6%) and in those with a high school education than those with more than a high school education (17% vs. 14%)

Prescription opioid use was less common among people making more than $100,000 than those making less than $35,000 (9% vs. 20%)

Researchers concluded that the findings were a step in the right direction for curbing the national opioid crisis, and it shows that more patients are working to pursue alternative and active chronic pain treatments instead of over relying on opioids that oftentimes simply mask symptoms instead of treating the underlying issue.

It’s great that so many people are working to take a vested interest in their health and really pursue different treatments instead of just taking pain medications. Opioids can make movements less painful and make it easier for patients to pursue certain active treatments, but there are numerous studies that have found some risks associated with long-term opioid use. The results are encouraging, but nearly one in three people with chronic pain aren’t seeking any type of treatment for their pain, and that number is still far too large. If you know someone with chronic pain, encourage them to connect with a specialist, because oftentimes symptoms can be reduced or even eliminated!

For more information, or for help with your chronic pain issue, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today.

Addressing Racial Inequality In Pain Care

August 19, 2021 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Pain care should be readily accessible for all patients, but a recent look into the landscape of pain management across the US found that race oftentimes affects the level of care a patient receives.

According to a new study out of Dartmouth College, the US medical system provides less pain relief to black patients than white patients, and this trend has been in place for some time now. Perhaps the most notable finding in the study is that while black and white patients receive the same number of pain relief prescriptions, doctors routinely prescribe significantly lower doses for black patients.

“Our findings likely reflect systematic racial bias throughout the course of care leading to pain medicine receipt,” said the study’s lead author, Nancy Morden. “We hope our system-level reporting will prompt dialogue and commitment to deep exploration of this inequity — its causes, consequences, and tireless testing of potential remedies.”

Pain Care Differences By Race

For their study, researchers analyzed data from 310 health systems that provide primary care to black and white patients. Overall, black and white patients were equally likely to be given prescriptions for pain relief, but there was a big discrepancy when it came to the dosage. In 90 percent of healthcare systems monitored for the study, white patients received higher doses on an annual basis than black patients. In most of those systems, the difference in prescription strength was around 15 percent or greater.

So what is driving this divide? According to researchers and other medical experts, a number of different factors could influence this disparity. Some of those believed factors include:

Racial bias
Belief in untrue stereotypes
Decentralized health system that fails to address racial inequality
Lowered patient expectations

On the last point of lowered expectations, some medical experts theorize that black and white individuals approach medical treatment differently. They believe that white patients may be more demanding when it comes to access to stronger opioids because they feel like they have a right to those medications, whereas black patients may not rate their health as being as bad as it actually is when compared to others they know.

While these results are concerning, they can help start a conversation to bring about change. At our clinic, we do everything in our power to help every patient on an individual level, no matter their age, race or sexual orientation. We’re singularly focused on helping you achieve pain relief. At the same time, we also want to acknowledge these racial inequalities in pain management, because they certainly exist. We will continue to not only provide the best care we can, but also keep our team aware of how the potential for overlooked racial biases can negatively affect a patient’s level of care.

Hopefully the pain community as a whole learns from these findings and makes necessary changes to ensure every patient gets the care they deserve. If you feel like you are not getting the highest level of care from your pain provider, we urge you to reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today.

More Americans Are In Pain Than Ever Before

May 12, 2021 / Thomas Cohn, MD

New research published in the journal Demography found that more Americans are dealing with chronic pain on a regular basis than ever before, suggesting that not enough is being done to treat individuals with underlying pain conditions.

According to the new data, there have been blanket increases across multiple pain reporting measures, with pain rising in every adult group, every demographic group and at every site of pain for which data exists.

“We looked at the data from every available perspective including age, gender, race, ethnicity, education, and income, but the results were always the same: There was an increase in pain no matter how we classified the population,” said Hanna Grol-Prokopczyk, associate professor of sociology in the University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences, and co-author of the paper. “You might think that with medical advances we’d be getting healthier and experiencing less pain, but the data strongly suggest the exact opposite.”

An Increase In Chronic Pain

For the study, researchers took a closer look at how chronic pain is affecting a large group of individuals. Most studies only focus on how chronic pain affects people over the age of 50, but this study looked at people between the ages of 25-84. They drew their data from responses to the National Health Interview Study, which involved more than 440,000 participants from 2002-2018.

Here’s a look at some of their findings:

In the US, chronic pain affects more people and has a greater economic cost than heart disease, diabetes and cancer combined.
In older adults, body mass index, hypertension diabetes and kidney conditions are associated conditions that correlate most with increases in chronic pain.
In younger adults, BMI, stress and alcohol use have strong associations with chronic pain trends.

“What we’re seeing in the younger age groups demonstrates how pain in some ways functions as much as a mental health problem as it does a physical health problem,” says Grol-Prokopczyk. “Pain can be exacerbated by stress, and stress can bring about alcohol use.”

The idea that chronic pain isn’t just a physical issue is something we’ve been preaching for a while now, so we’re happy that psychological factors are starting to get more attention as an underlying issue associated with chronic pain development. However, it’s clear that still not enough is being done about treating chronic pain conditions, and we fear that the pandemic has only worsened chronic pain conditions for many individuals around the globe. Hopefully policymakers take note and commit more funding to helping find solutions for individuals with chronic pain.

So while chronic pain may leave you feeling isolated, based on this data, it’s clear you’re not alone when it comes to pain conditions. If you want to take tangible steps towards getting your condition under control, reach out to a pain management specialist like Dr. Cohn who will take the time to conduct an accurate diagnosis and develop a solution that suits your needs. For more information, contact his office today.

The Three Components To Successfully Conquering Chronic Pain

January 26, 2021 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Conquering chronic pain is a daily battle, and it’s not something that is always easy to handle. In fact, if you don’t have the right support systems or partners by your side, it can be very difficult to overcome a chronic pain condition. In our experience, we’ve found that people who have three specific components during their chronic pain treatment have a higher likelihood of success. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at the three components to successfully conquering a chronic pain condition.

Three Pillars To Conquering Chronic Pain

The triangle is the strongest shape in nature, so if you view these three key components as parts of a triangle, it can help you visual how they can help make up the foundation for chronic pain treatment. Here are the three key components for successfully conquering chronic pain.

Yourself – Successfully managing a chronic pain condition begins with yourself. Not only do you need to want to get better, you have to actively work towards achieving it. Wanting it without taking tangible steps to reach this goal isn’t going to be effective. There’s no magic pill you can take to solve your chronic pain, it’s going to take active modalities like exercise, physical therapy and stretching techniques. Understanding this, and taking ownership of your role in managing your chronic pain condition will help you move the needle in the right direction each day. Educate yourself, commit to treatment and lean on others when you find yourself struggling in order to do your part to overcome chronic pain.

Your Doctor – Finding a pain management specialist who understands your condition, who really listens to your concerns and who won’t stop until they’ve helped solve your pain is another key component to chronic pain management. There are plenty of doctors who will prescribe pain medications and help treat the symptoms of your condition, but those won’t help you on a long-term basis. You need to find a doctor who works hard to diagnose the root problem and develop a treatment plan suited to your individual needs. They also need to be willing to reevaluate the patient and update their treatment recommendations as things change, because chronic pain is a complex issue that can change over time. If you’re not satisfied with your professional pain care, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office and see what it’s like to work with a pain specialist who is committed to seeing the problem through.

Your Support System – Finally, it’s important to have a support system in place when things get difficult. This could be in the form of family, friends or an online support group. Some people enjoy confiding in those who are close to them, while others feel like they don’t want to be a burden and don’t want to lay their problems on people who can’t relate. Find what works for you and really work to find a support system that can help you when things aren’t going great. You’ll have bad days, but having a good support system in place can make it easier to bounce back and string together more good days than bad. If you need help developing a support system, talk to your pain specialist about online or in-person support groups, or open up to family members. And don’t be afraid to be a support system for others in your life who are going through their own issues, be it divorce, a health issue or some other problem. Lean on others, and be a rock for others who need support, and you’ll find it easier to manage your chronic pain condition.

For more information or for help with your chronic pain condition, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.

How To Conquer Your Chronic Pain In The New Year

January 5, 2021 / Thomas Cohn, MD

2020 is thankfully in the rearview mirror, but unless you make some positive changes in the New Year, this year may be just like the last, or even worse, for your chronic pain condition. But how can you take control over your chronic pain condition while also accounting for the current COVID-19 pandemic? We share some tips for helping to regain control over your chronic pain condition in the new year.

New Year, Less Pain

It won’t be easy to get a better handle on your chronic pain condition, especially as we work our way out of a pandemic, but planning ahead and sticking to new routines can help you get there. Here are some tips to keep in mind.

1. Make It A Point To Exercise More – Not everything in life is controllable, but the factors we can influence should not be overlooked. Exercise is one of those modifiable factors that we can control that has a direct impact on our chronic pain condition. Exercise will help to strengthen key structures, improve mobility and flexibility, release natural pain relievers in the form of endorphins and help you work towards a healthy weight, all of which can help with pain sensations and tolerance. It’s not always easy to exercise in the Minnesota winter, especially if COVID has closed your gym, but make it a point to exercise 3-5 times a week at home or in a COVID-safe manner. This will help with your overall health as well as your pain condition.

2. Improve Your Eating – Your diet plays a big role in the expression of your chronic pain condition. Poor eating habits can lead to inflammation and nerve compression, and weight gain can put more stress on your joints. On the flip side, healthy eating habits can help to prevent chronic pain symptoms by ensuring your body gets a range of key vitamins and nutrients that support healthy tissue growth and function. Similarly, healthy eating promotes a healthy weight, which keeps excess stress off joints like our hips and knees. You don’t need to eat perfectly every meal, but strive to eat healthier in the new year.

3. Improve Your Sleep Habits – Another controllable aspect of your health and in turn your chronic pain condition is your sleep quality. Now we know that it’s easier said than done to say “get quality sleep,” but if you make a concentrated effort to improve your sleep, you should see the fruits of your labor shortly thereafter. To improve your sleep quality, make your bedroom an ideal sleep environment. Keep it dark, cool and free from distractions like phones, televisions or books. Go to bed around the same time every night, and once you’re in bed, focus all your efforts on falling asleep. Don’t spend 45 minutes watching Netflix before playing on your phone for 20 minutes and then calling it a night at 11:15. When you get in bed, your only goal should be to fall asleep and stay asleep. Control what you can control in your sleep environment, and your sleep quality should improve.

4. Find A Specialist You Can Trust – Finally, if you feel like your current pain care provider just isn’t giving you the attention to detail that you know you deserve, consider looking into new options in the new year. We’re accepting new patients and our number one goal is to help you find an individualized solution to your pain condition. We know that everyone’s pain situation is unique, so we don’t just group you in with all other patients. Your pain condition in a one-of-a-kind issue that needs to be treated as such to get the best treatment results, and we know that we can provide you with that level of care and attention to detail. Let Dr. Cohn and his team help you make 2021 the year you put your chronic pain condition behind you.