Did you know you don’t have to live with chronic pain? This can seem like a basic question, but the nature of knee pain and neck pain is that it can slip into your life without warning. Even worse? You can actually get used to your chronic pain and forget that you ever felt better than your best. Knee pain, lower back pain and shoulder pain are some of the most common sources of frustration for many American adults. When turning to over-the-counter treatments and heating pads aren’t doing the trick, it may be time to admit the problem isn’t going away and you could use a little therapy.
What causes all these conditions and what can you do about it with your busy schedule? All your questions and more will be answered below in a list that covers statistics, medical costs and physical therapy resources.
The Prevalence Of Chronic Pain In America
Knee pain
, hip pain, upper back pain…it seems like chronic issues can settle in anywhere and leave you exhausted for months on end. It’s estimated as many as 31 million Americans experience lower back pain at any given time, which is nothing to say of related back issues that affect mood, mobility and self-confidence. Knee pain is also the second most chronic form of chronic pain in the country and sees millions of adults seeking out temporary pain relievers to get through their week. But where do these issues come from and why are they so widespread?
Common Sources Of Chronic Pain Issues
Perhaps you work a sedentary job and find yourself typing for hours every day. Maybe you have a job that requires you to lift heavy objects and stand for extended periods of time. Yet more people are active in sports. What all of these occupations and hobbies have in common is that they can contribute to chronic pain. The National Center For Health Statistics has reported over five million sports-related injuries happen on a yearly basis. It’s also estimated every year sees 50% of American adults developing a musculoskeletal injury that lasts longer than three months.
Additional Sources Of Chronic Pain
What other areas in life can see you developing a problem right under your own nose? Osteoarthritis is one such condition that impacts people across a variety of professions due to its origin in repetitive motion. It’s the most common form of arthritis and is known as the ‘wear and tear arthritis’ due to creating a major problem out of many smaller ones. This condition crops up most frequently in the hips, knees and hands. People who engage in regular repetitive motion, such as those that type or draw or sign, have a higher probability of developing this condition.
General Medical Costs For Surgery And Therapy
There are resources available for you. But what should you expect before looking into physical therapy Bellevue or physical therapy Lynnwood? A surprising misconception is that your charges will be the same now as they would be another year or two down the line. It’s actually in your best interest to seek out help as soon as possible. A recent study found that the total medical costs for lower back pain, specifically, were up to $2,600 lower for patients that had received early physical therapy.
Finding A Form Of Therapy That Works For You
Physical therapy is the tool you need to whittle down chronic pain back to the once-in-a-while element that it’s supposed to be. The Bureau Of Labor Statistics has projected that, by the time 2022 arrives, physical therapist employment growth will exceed 30%. In other words? You won’t be at a loss for options. Physical therapy involves regular sessions involving stretching, flexing, simple exercises, massages and sometimes certain types of medications in order to both alleviate your pain and reduce your symptoms.
Don’t believe what chronic pain is telling you. You don’t have to live with knee pain or back pain any longer.