Is my pain chronic?
While everyone has experienced the discomfort and unpleasant sensations associated with
pain, it’s important to understand the difference
between chronic (long-term) and acute
(quickly resolving) pain.
Generally, chronic pain is ongoing or returning pain that lasts more than three-to-six months and may continue
for years. It can result from an acute injury or illness and persist; it
can also develop without any clear cause.
What are some of the more common chronic pain conditions?
People can suffer from more than one kind of chronic pain at a
time. Common types of chronic pain include:
• Headache
• Low back pain
• Cancer-related pain
• Arthritis pain
• Nerve pain
How is chronic pain treated?
Depending on the type and severity of pain, healthcare providers
may recommend one treatment or a combination of treatments
over time. Common approaches include:
• Medications
• Behavior modification
• Relaxation therapy
• Psychotherapy
• Acupuncture (gentle insertion of needles)
• Muscle stimulation
• Brain stimulation
• Surgery
If you think you have chronic pain, be sure to ask your healthcare
provider whether any of these approaches might help. Also keep in
mind that doctors are constantly conducting research in an effort
to develop new treatments to lessen the symptoms of chronic pain.
Why is chronic pain a greater concern for law enforcement
officers?
The physical demands inherent in law enforcement work
increase the risk of injury. As you know, law enforcement officers
often have to use force when preventing various unlawful acts and
apprehending criminals, and they must respond quickly to unpredictable emergencies. These situations can result in both
immediate and enduring physical harm to the officer.
In fact, in a study of physical injury in law enforcement officers,
almost half of all surveyed reported experiencing chronic pain within the past year.
What can you do to prevent or offset chronic pain?
Keeping physically fit can dramatically reduce your risk of developing chronic pain. Law enforcement officers who exercise
regularly are about half as likely as those who are less active to report
chronic pain.
It’s also important to recognize the symptoms of chronic pain
and understand how you may have developed this condition.
Knowing where your pain has come from can go a long way in helping you and your healthcare provider identify what steps to take to
treat or possibly reverse the pain.
This message is sponsored in conjunction with HERO, Stay Healthy
Stay Strong. d
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24-Hour HELP LINE: 800-626-1980
76
NEW JERSEY COPS
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NOVEMBER 2015
(800) 626-1980