Why not relief?

Abstract

The field of pain management is currently a battle-ground on several fronts, with controversies virtually at every aspect of the subject and lack of education and misconception at the center of the fight. It has been shown that the number of patients suffering with psychosomatic chronic pain are 2% or less. Similarly, it was also shown that the risk of true addiction in chronic pain patients was approximately 0.3%. Accurate anatomical diagnosis can be provided in only 15% of the patients utilizing traditional medical technology. The question of, "Why not relief?" should be raised in our society on a daily basis. It is imperative to understand the true nature of pain by separating the myth of psychological pain from the reality of organic pain and manage it appropriately utilizing all available means, not only narcotics and interventional technology, but also behavioral therapy.