Myth vs. REALITY.

• Position: Pain treatment - Brief Article

The Americnan Pain Society, Glenview, Ill., maintains that a number of myths have sprung up concerning pain. The organization offers the following information to debunk many of them:

* Myth: A person with chronic pain should "tough it out" as long as possible before seeking medical help.

Fact: Failure to treat pain can worsen the condition that causes it. Early treatment can prevent or delay more serious pain and the costs and disability associated with it. Treating pain early with simpler measures can avoid the need for more drastic ones.

* Myth: People need to develop a higher tolerance for pain.

Fact: In many cases, ignoring pain can make the situation worse, leading to impaired quality of life characterized by fatigue, limited activity, negative mood shifts, poor sleep, and social withdrawal.

* Myth: People with chronic pain have to learn to live with it because nothing can be done to provide relief.

Fact: With proper assessment, aggressive treatment, and use of a multidisciplinary approach that emphasizes rehabilitation, most patients can minimize pain and greatly improve their quality of life.

* Myth: Complaining of chronic pain even after taking medication is likely to lead to major surgery.

Fact: It is often possible to control pain by changing the dosage or type of medication. While surgery might be the most effective option for certain types of pain, many other techniques and methods can be tried first to eliminate or satisfactorily control it.

* Myth: Other than surgery, treatments for pain should come from a primary-care doctor.

Fact: The primary-care physician should make a thorough assessment of pain. Many treatments and therapies may be carried out or prescribed under his or her supervision. However, patients sometimes benefit from referral to pain specialists or other professionals and practitioners in addition to their own physician, promoting a multidisciplinary approach. These may...