By SWNS Staff
NEWS COPY W/ VIDEO + INFOGRAPHIC
Nearly half of all Americans are worried they’ll never have a pain-free day in their lives, according to new research.
The study asked 2,000 Americans about their daily experience and the impact on their life of dealing with aches and pains and found that while 48% believe they’ll never have a pain-free day, the average American polled said they only get 13 truly pain-free days every year.
During a typical year, with a global pandemic aside, respondents’ pain can be so intense that it causes them to cancel plans, making a significant impact on the enjoyment of their daily lives.
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Axogen, the survey asked respondents about their experiences with chronic pain and found 37% have been diagnosed with chronic pain during their lives, defined as ongoing pain that usually lasts longer than six months.
And for those polled who haven’t received an official diagnosis (approximately 1,200 respondents), 18% suspect they do in fact have chronic pain.
Regardless of their diagnosis, 44% wish their doctor would provide more pain management solutions than prescription pain medications.
In fact, the average respondent shared they feel six years older than they actually are due to aches and pains, and that five or more times throughout the day, respondents can feel discomfort when they sit down or stand up.
But when it comes to pain tolerance, however, it may actually be true that women tolerate pain more than men. The survey found that 65% of respondents agreed that women have a higher pain tolerance than men.
“Living with chronic pain is incredibly difficult and can truly take over a person’s life. Often the only treatment options offered to those experiencing chronic pain are medications or other treatments that may temporarily manage the symptoms, but do not address or fix the root cause of the pain,” said Axogen Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President Karen Zaderej. “Many people don’t realize that their pain may be caused by a damaged or injured peripheral nerve. If a nerve is to blame, it’s possible to resolve the pain by repairing the nerve damage through pioneering surgical nerve repair techniques and provide patients with a much more permanent solution.”
Forty-four percent of those surveyed shared they wish their doctor would provide them with more information on their aches and pains.
Forty-five percent of respondents also shared they wish their doctors would provide more pain management solutions other than prescription pain medications.
And perhaps because of this lack of communication they’re feeling, 43% of those surveyed want to do their own research on how to better manage and treat their pain, but they don't know where to begin.
“Many patients live with chronic and debilitating pain for years without ever realizing there could be a solution,” said Peripheral Nerve Specialist and Axogen Medical Director Ivica Ducic. “If a patient is experiencing pain for three months or longer after an injury or previous surgical procedure, it’s possible a nerve injury could be to blame. Patients should be empowered to ask their doctors about options to treat chronic pain other than prescription pain medication. Surgical nerve repair may be the appropriate solution.”
HOW MANY TIMES A DAY AMERICANS DO OR SAY...
- Sitting down is exhausting - 7
- Hips pop when standing - 7
- Knees pop when standing - 7
- Standing is a chore - 7
- Say their joints hurt - 7
- Say “Oh, my back!” - 7
- Attribute joint pain to rain - 6
- Say “I’m getting old” - 6
- Attribute joint pain to cold weather - 6
- Grunt when they sit down/stand up - 5