Chronic Pain Costs U.S more than Heart Disease

Washington Institute of Medicine study published in the Philadelphia Enquirer June 30: 

Nearly a third of Americans experience long-lasting pain costing the nation at least $558 billion a year in medical bills, sick days and lost productivity.

“We are viewing this as a critical issue for the U.S.” said Philip Pizzo, Stanford University dean of medicine.

All kinds of ailments can trigger lingering pain, from arthritis to cancer, spine problems to digestive disorders, injuries to surgery. Chronic pain can also be a disease all its own, the report stressed.

Dr. Doris Cope, pain chief at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center states:

“Too many think a pill’s the answer, when there are many ways to address pain.  The population is getting older and less fit, and more survivors of diseases such as cancer live for many years with side effects from treatments.”

The article concludes:  Too few doctors are trained to manage pain as well as insurance might not cover time consuming counseling in pain-management techniques, consultations with specialists, or even nondrug care.

It is clear that other options are needed.  Custom Calm techniques are a cost effective way to lower pain.  Teaching clients how to take charge of reducing their pain gives them the ability to greatly improving their daily living.