Chronic Pain in Medicare Patients - Premier Alternative Health

Chronic Pain in Medicare Patients

Chronic pain affects older medicare adults more than any other age group; therefore practitioners need to approach this problem with confidence and skill.  Wiener (2007) from the Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Pittsburgh published an article on the importance of physical examination, advanced imaging, diagnostic testing and functional rehabilitation in the geriatric population.  Specific non-malignant pain syndromes that were reviewed were myofascial pain, generalized osteoarthritis, chronic low back pain, fibromyalgia syndrome and peripheral neuropathy.  The author states “While common, chronic pain is not a normal part of aging, and should be treated with an emphasis on improved physical function and quality of life” pp306.  One interesting point made in the article was regarding the effectiveness of pain treatment.  The author states “Patients with chronic non-malignant pain should anticipate, on average no more than 30-50% reduction in pain intensity.  Physical function, mood, endurance, sleep, appetite, and interpersonal interactions may respond even more substantially to treatment, as may overall quality of life.” pp315. Chronic pain often starts after an acute injury, such as a car accident, or a fall. An acute injury and lead to a prolong injury (chronic pain) especially in the medicare population.  Earlier intervention and proper treatment is essential to avoid chronic problems.  Find a chiropractor familiar in treating accident and the medicare population.