Chronic Pain and YOU

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

Chronic pain is common in all professions and ages. According to the Harvard Business Review (2021), up to 40% of the American workforce experiences chronic pain. Chronic pain may be persistent or episodic in duration and intensity and adversely affect a person’s well-being. It often has unclear origins and poor response to pain management (2021).

Chronic pain is also referred to as “emotional pain”. Addressing your emotional equilibrium goes a long way in managing chronic pain. With an aging workforce, extended work hours, demanding jobs, and personal responsibilities, chronic pain will become more common in the future.

BEING MINDFUL OF CHRONIC PAIN:

Below are 10 key items Dr. James A. Peterson with The American College of Sports Medicine recommends one be mindful of regarding chronic pain (2021):

What it be. Chronic pain is persistent pain that lasts from weeks to months, even for years. The length of time tends to vary, depending on the defining source. As a rule, the typical period indicated is that the pain endures for 3 months or longer.
Time and patience. Identifying the root cause of a person’s chronic pain is not always obvious, fast, or easy.
Set apart. Chronic pain is often characterized by a variety of symptoms, including undue painful discomfort, lack of sleep, trouble with sleeping, an absence of being hungry, depression, and/or anxiety.
Not the same way. Feeling chronic pain can take a variety of forms, including aching, burning, dullness, soreness, stiffness, throbbing, or a combination thereof.
Hopeless, helpless, demoralized. May have a profound impact on one’s life. From limiting what activities, a person can engage in or looks forward to doing and over time, can take the joy out of a person’s life.
One size does not fit all. Chronic pain can be treated in a variety of ways, including cognitive behavioral therapy, exercise, nutrition, heat, ice, immobilization, medication, physical therapy, stress management, and surgery.
Beyond the norm. From acupuncture to massage, alternative treatments can be an effective complement to mainstream approaches for treating chronic pain.
Rest is not best. It is essential that individuals with chronic pain stay physically active. Not only is (bed) rest not the appropriate remedy for chronic pain, in some cases, it could result in a person’s pain level worsening. Being physically active can have a positive impact on a sufferer’s level of physical and mental health.
The inevitability of getting older. Although aches and pains are often a normal consequence of aging, chronic pain does not have to be. Not every older adult develops chronic pain.
Ignorance is not bliss. No one should consider toughing out their pain. Seek medical attention and work with your healthcare team in managing your discomfort, emotional and mental well-being.

WORKPLACE SAFETY:

The following recommendations aim to foster worksite wellness programs to assist in managing chronic pain in the workplace:

Ergonomic training: Educating staff on proper body mechanics and lifting techniques to minimize strain
Patient/ Equipment: Utilizing mechanical lifts and other assistive devices to reduce manual lifting
Workstation adjustments: Optimizing workspaces to promote good posture
Regular breaks: Encouraging staff to take frequent breaks to stretch and move around
Pain management programs: Access to pain management education and treatment options like physical and occupational therapy, stress management and emotional health
Workplace policies: Implementing policies that support staff with chronic pain, including flexible scheduling and accommodation when needed (Nieuwenhuijsen, et. al, 2021)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

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BLOG WRITTEN BY:

Sophie Mabry, M.A.,
ACSM Exercise Physiologist, EIM II, Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Sports Nutritionist, Mental Health First Aid Responder, BLS CPR and First Aid Instructor, former EMS professional.

REFERENCES:

Gulsern, D.B., Sayin, F. Kelloway, E. Keven, & Turner, N. 2021, July 19. When Someone on Your Team Has Chronic Pain. Retrieved March 10, 2025. https://hbr.org/2021/07/when-someone-on-your-team-has-chronic-pain).
Migala, J. (2024, June 1). The War on Chronic Pain. AARP Bulletin, (June), 8-16.
Nieuwenhuijsen, K., Sluiter, J. K., & Frings-Dresen, M. H. W. (2021). Organizational support and a supportive work environment facilitate employees with chronic conditions to remain at work. BMC Public Health, 21, 10633. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10633-y. Accessed March 26, 2025.
Peterson, James A. Ph.D., FACSM. SHAREABLE RESOURCE: 10 Things to Know About Chronic Pain. ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal 25(2):p 60, 3/4 2021. | DOI: 10.1249/FIT.0000000000000641. Accessed March 10, 2025.
Rezaei, B., Mousavi, E., Heshamati, B., & Shaphagh, A.Bareza. Back Pain and Its Related Risk Factors in Health Care Providers at Hospitals: A Systematic Review, Annals of Medicine and Surgery, Volume 70, 2021, 102903, ISSN 2049-0801, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102903. Accessed March 10, 2025.
T. Collopy, K., BA, FP-C, CCEMT-P, NR-P, CMTE, WEMT (2013, July 1). EMS Guide to Chronic Pain. Https://www.Hmpgloballearningnetwork.com. Retrieved March 10, 2025, from https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/emsworld/article/10959254/ems-guide-chronic-pain.

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