Social Security Disability for Chronic Pain Syndrome

Chronic pain syndrome (CPS) is a common problem that presents a major challenge to health-care providers because of its complex natural history, unclear etiology, and poor response to therapy. Chronic pain syndrome is a combination of syndromes that usually do not respond to common medical care.

It is uncommon for full relief to be achieved. Medications, surgeries, alternative medicine treatments can reduce pain although their effectiveness varies by the patient and some may provide no relief at all to certain individuals. Occasionally CPS may become increasingly more painful over time regardless of attempted treatments.

Millions of Americans are disabled partially or totally due to chronic pain. Chronic pain is reported more commonly in women.

Major effects include depressed mood, poor-quality poor sleep, fatigue, reduced activity and libido, excessive use of drugs and alcohol, dependent behavior, and disability out of proportion with impairment.

Chronic pain may lead to prolonged physical suffering, marital or family problems, loss of employment, and various adverse medical reactions from long-term therapy.

Fibromyalgia risk – Women who are overweight or obese have a 60-70% greater risk of developing fibromyalgia than do women of normal weight.

Treatment – Medications, acupuncture, local electrical stimulation, and brain stimulation, as well as surgery, are some treatments for chronic pain. Psychotherapy, relaxation and medication therapies, biofeedback, and behavior modification may also help to treat chronic pain.

Prognosis – Many people with chronic pain can be helped if they understand all the causes of pain and the many and varied steps that can be taken to undo what chronic pain has done. It is believed that advances in neuroscience will lead to more and better treatments for chronic pain in the years to come.

Research – Clinical investigators have tested chronic pain patients and found that they often have lower-than-normal levels of endorphins in their spinal fluid and there are higher levels of endorphins in cerebrospinal fluid following acupuncture. Studies are being done on the effect of stress on the experience of chronic pain.