Chronic Back Pain Limitations
Thousands and thousands of people annually seek medical care for back pain. For some, the pain is gone within 6 weeks. For others, it becomes chronic back pain.
Chronic back pain affects individuals in various ways. Most make repeated visits to physicians, seeking relief. They want to know what causes their chronic back pain. They want new tests. They want to try whatever treatment may be available.
Chronic back pain sufferers may report difficulty in performing normal daily activities. They may believe the pain is increasing. They may simply want someone to sympathize, and agree that it is not “all in your head” at all.
Although back pain is the main reason people visit orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons, and the second main reason they visit primary care physicians, an estimated 5 to 10 percent of those visitors will receive no cure. They will go from low back pain to chronic back pain.
Patients are frustrated because physicians do not cure back pain. Physicians are frustrated because they cannot cure low back pain. Many think they can do little to prevent occasional severe back pain from becoming chronic back pain.
If nothing is done, however, chronic back pain limitations can seriously impinge on daily activity.
Possible Limitations
A look at possible chronic back pain limitations reveals a long list. There are limitations placed by a physician, but there are many more limitations that patients place on themselves. They may include physical limitations, emotional limitations, or mental limitations. Of the many chronic back pain limitations we can discuss only 7 here.
1. Depression: One of the most common limitations of chronic back pain, depression affects everyone involved in the daily life of the sufferer. The type of depression experienced by sufferers of chronic back pain is not simply a matter of feeling sad or “down at the heels” for a day or so. “Major depression” and “clinical depression” are the terms used for this kind of depression.
When chronic back pain limitations include a major depression, the person feels emotionally miserable everyday for at least two weeks. He or she also may have unexplained crying spells; major appetite changes; fatigue, sleep problems; agitation; and thoughts of death or suicide. There may be little interest in activities that were normally enjoyable.
2. Social Activity: A second of the chronic back pain limitations reported is that of social activity. People suffering chronic back pain become reluctant to attend parties and other social functions. They may curtail recreational activities or outings with the family.
3. Work Time: Those who suffer chronic back pain are also more likely to take off more work time. Statistics show that back pain causes the loss of more than 83 million days of work time each year due to back pain.
4. Job Loss: Since it often means lost work time, another of chronic back pain limitations is job loss. Too many lost days, or poor performance due to chronic back pain, can result in replacement.
5. Work Ability: Chronic back pain is a leading cause of work limitations. Back pain limits workers’ ability to lift, carry, and perform other duties that are required. It places restrictions on workers, and narrows the job field for many people.
6. Low Pay: Chronic back pain limitations include financial limits for some. Those who are limited in work by chronic back pain earn, on average, only two-thirds the amount of those without back pain.
7. Housework: One of the largest limitations of chronic back pain appears to hit normal activities associated with housework, gardening, and lawn work. Patients with back pain that lasted more than 60 days often report they are no longer able to do any gardening, lawn work, or normal cleaning activities such as vacuuming, mopping floors, etc.
Clinically Proven Limitations
For the patient, it is difficult to believe that chronic back pain limitations are often unnecessary. They continue to believe that the pain has a cause that can be readily diagnosed, despite their physician’s repeated assurances to the contrary. They believe the physician can find a medical sure for their back pain if pressed often enough and hard enough. As for treatment, patients often believe that until the cure is found, the best treatment is bed rest and limited activity.
The result of such beliefs is that back pain that could initially be resolved with exercise becomes chronic back pain. Chronic back pain that might still be resolved if the patient were to exercise regularly gradually develops and produces chronic back pain limitations.
TIP: Back pain is very, very common in our society. Rather than let it lead to complications and limitations, you may want to ask your physician for gentle exercises that may resolve your back pain before it becomes chronic.
Anna Hart
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/chronic-back-pain-limitations-125257.html
7 Responses to “Chronic Back Pain Limitations”
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Chronic Pain / Fibromyalgia: Realistic Goals for Employment?I've been out of work on disability for more than two years following an auto accident. In addition to chronic neck and back pain, I have now have Fibromyalgia.
I never thought I'd still be out of work. I started an online career diploma program for medical office assistant (clerical focus) over a year ago, with the expectation of a better recovery. I've had many treatments, so let's not go there!
I've already needed an extension as I cannot complete it in time due to disability. I've been pushing myself hard and now am experiencing a terrible flare-up of symptoms.
If I can't get through these online, self-paced courses, what can I expect to do to make a living? I can't afford to be on disability, even if payments continue. Therefore, I must find employment.
I would appreciate hearing serious answers from anyone who actually understands the limitations that chronic pain and fibro can cause.
It seems futile. If you have such a condition, what do you do for a living?
Thus far all of your answers have been very helpful, thank you!
First off, don't give up. I know it may feel as though there is not much hope.
I too Have the "F" word as my family and I call it. It has taken me 10 years to figure out how to cope. I read a book called Fibromyalgia relief book 213 ideas for improving your quality of life. I had read many before and after and this one was the most helpful.
As far as work the key is to find a job that gives you more then you put in. What I mean is working somewhere that is personally rewarding. Even if the pay isn't great the benefits in positive energy is priceless. I am not some new age quack. I am a mother of 3 and have had jobs that were great and jobs that I had to quit.
I suggest that you first decided the top 3-5 things that you would love to do for a job and then go for it. Even if you can only do part-time you will feel better.
I work as an activities assistant at a nursing home. This job is ideal for a Fibro. I work with people who understand chronic pain and discomfort. They don't rush me or make me feel like I am worthless. In fact they give me more encouragement and support then i have ever gotten from any where else.
When you set your goals for employment just understand that every job is not for you. Be selective, be upfront and never give in to the hopelessness.
I hope you find rewarding work.References :
Jax, I truly understand what you are going through. I too have been out of work for over a year due to fibromyalgia and stay at home as a full time parent. If it were not for my husband I do not know where I would be. I am in the process of filing for a seizure disability along with the Fibro. Realisticly, it is hard to say how one with our type of cronic pain can continue the day to day routine unless you are one of the lucky ones that have found a caring doctor to stand by you through out your pain to figure out how to help you in the best possible way. It is differnt for everyone of us. I worked 12 years in insurance as a biller but pain became a determining factor in my ability to continue the repetative work that unfortunatly brought that chapter to a close. I can only suggest trying the idea of working from home via computer but without trying this for my own self, do not know how sugesful this type of work is. I just figure, that by having the ability to have a flexabile schedule would allow you to rest when necessary and resume when you are feeling your strengh return. I can only think of going through some office staffing service to see what they would reccomend for this type of work. I truly wish I was of better help to you as I try to figure out the delima as well. I hope that somehow you find the answers to your employment and some day to the bigger picture of resolving the pain so that even more options become a possibility for you.References :
Hi, I have RSD, another type of pain syndrome, since 2001. I had to stop working at first but was really lead to believe I'd get better for a long time, and I continued to work, even going back to school part time like you have to try to find an appropriate job for me. I worked on & off part time from 2002-2005 and got fired from every job for not being able to perform the basic functions well enough. I also have chroinc migraines and social anxiety.
It got me so depressed that I could not even keep the most demeaning lowest paying jobs anymore, I lost 5 jobs in 3 years. So I've applied for SSDI and am still waiting for a decision.
Good luck finding something you can do. I hope I can work again someday but at this point I cannot stress over it anymore. I'm married with a child and it's been a great financial strain on our family. I used to work full time since I was 15 before my accident. And so many people dont understand. Everyone I tell I cant work has a suggestion as to how I can. It gets frustrating because they dont understand. They say things like "just work pat time then" or "find a desk job" whe all the jobs I cant keep were part time desk jobs. Or they think I'm lazy or want to stay at home, but it's so depressing not having a job or career and my son is 9 so he's not home all day. I'm just alone with my pain. It's hard.References :
I had to rethink my work situation due to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. I like you have gone back to study, and have gained qualifications as a Youth worker, Workplace Trainer & Assessor, and currently studying as Disability support worker.
I was up front with my prospective employers, about my medical condition and how it impacts on my day to day living, despite this I have gained employment on a casual basis, working as a Youth & Disability support worker, as well as a First Aid Instructor, giving me approximately 1 1/2 – 10 hours per week, any more hours I really struggle, my hubby complains that I am a walking, talking grumpy zombie lol.
Start off working a few hours a day, and build on it slowly, or stagger your days, one day on, one day off. This way you can get a feel for how your coping.
Work casually or part time for a few months.
Be sure you inform your employers of your being unwell to attend work as soon as possible, (never the last minute).
Do not take on any work that requires any on going physical exertion or repetitive work.
If sitting at a desk, get up every hour and move around to prevent stiffness and pain, or do some chair exercises (nothing to extreme).
Increase your fluid intake, as dehydration increases pain etc. (I found this helps immensely).
Inform your prospective employer of your medical condition, and how the Fibromyalgia affects you, and the importance for you to move around the office etc, to prevent increased fatigue and pain. (just be cautious that you don't paint a real horror story).
Also ensure you get adequate sleep (not easy to do, with Fibro).
Keep your pain meds on hand to, forestall any headaches and niggling pain. (if I am having a difficult day, I take may pain meds every 6 hours rather than 8, pain management told me to do this, obviously not on a regular basis).
Don't give up on your studies as it may mean the difference of you gaining a better job. I have nearly given up my studies many times, but glad I stuck it out.
I wish you all the best with your studies and future job prospects.
I forgot to mention that I am so glad school holidays are coming up, as I so need the break, to recuperate.References : Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia sufferer
Check out http://www.fibromyalgiasource.com for lots of information on fibromyalgia. It may be of some assistance to you.References :
You have already gotten some good input I think. I just have one additional suggestion.
You might consider contacting the local office of your state vocational rehabilitation office.Their job is to help people with disabilities identify and get into jobs they can perform. They can help with trial periods on jobs, getting necessary accomodations, and training in new skills.
I know this is a very serious and real issue, complicated by the fact that a lot of people don't realize how disabling fibromyalgia can be.
Best of luck to you.
Barry Hughes, Ph.D.
<a href="http://www.chronic-pain-alternatives.comhttp://www.chronic-pain-alternatives.com<br />References :