Living with Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is prevalent. A 2016 report estimates that over 20% of adults in the United States have experienced some form of chronic pain. Of those 50 million Americans, 8% suffer from some form of high impact chronic pain; pain that has lasted over three months and prohibits them from performing important activities in their daily lives.
Chronic pain is persistent. It can present as headaches, arthritis, or irritable bowel syndrome, to name just a few. Regardless of how it manifests; when it shows up, chronic pain sticks around. Chronic pain occurs daily and can last for weeks, months, or years.
Chronic pain is expensive. In more ways than one. On the national level, it costs Americans an estimated $560 billion in medical expenses, disability programs, and productivity. On the personal level, it can cost sufferers the ability to perform many activities of daily life. With chronic pain, it is difficult to socialize, focus, sleep, and generally take care of yourself. As stress from work and life heightens, chronic pain becomes more costly.
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