Spinal pain is the most common condition I see in my own office. We see an equal balance of acute and chronic spinal pain patients. Research tells us that 80 percent of Canadians will suffer an acute episode of back pain at least once in their lifetime. The good thing about acute pain is that most cases resolve within a relatively short period of time. The big problem which arises for society is when pain becomes chronic, in other words, lasting a very long time.
One in five Canadians experience chronic pain, a number that increases with age. Back pain, headaches, joint and nerve pain make up the more common sources of chronic pain. I’d say this is an epidemic and I would agree with the comment, “pain is poorly managed in Canada.”
Chronic pain involves more Canadians than does cancer, diabetes or heart disease. The economic consequence of chronic pain is far greater than these big three diseases.
At least once a year, I get a phone call or a knock on the door from canvassers representing each of the Cancer society, Heart and Stroke Foundation and Diabetes Canada. I do not recall ever seeing someone show up at my front door representing the Canadian Pain Society. Considering the impact that chronic pain has on society, this burden is poorly funded.
Lifestyle and psychological factors contribute greatly to chronic pain. Too many Canadians are far too sedentary both at work and at home. Too many Canadians battle stress and anxiety related to both work and at home as well. Too many Canadians do not exercise enough and have poor coping mechanisms for dealing with their stresses. It’s because of this that it should not be surprising that chronic pain is as big of a problem that it is in Canada.
With the overuse of pain medications, both over the counter and prescription, it is clear that pain is poorly managed in Canada. With the opioid epidemic and opioid-related deaths that we see in Canada, it is crystal clear that pain is poorly managed in Canada.
Unless Canadians can better afford non-publicly funded treatments offered by physiotherapists, chiropractors, massage therapists and acupuncturists, chemical treatment and the potential for dependency will persist.
Pain is poorly managed in Canada. I cannot say it often enough. With a provincial election year on the horizon, I wait for signs that politicians will start to take more seriously this burden on society.
