Omron meets the challenge of Pain Awareness Month
September is Pain Awareness Month. Since 2001, the American Chronic Pain Association and other organizations have been raising public awareness about these costly and debilitating conditions. The two broad categories of pain are defined by duration:
- Acute pain is temporary
- Chronic pain lasts longer than 3 months
Chronic pain management, in particular, is of great concern. Growing apprehensions over the use of opioids make this very clear.
The high cost of chronic pain
According to a 2016 survey that was released in 2018 by the CDC,
“An estimated 20.4% (50.0 million) of U.S. adults had chronic pain and 8.0% of U.S. adults (19.6 million) had high-impact chronic pain, with higher prevalences associated with advancing age.
“Chronic pain contributes to an estimated $560 billion each year in direct medical costs, lost productivity, and disability programs.”
Those most affected by chronic pain were women, adults with lower levels of education, the unemployed, those living in poverty, and rural residents. One might argue that issues of unemployment and poverty could be a result of chronic pain, as opposed to a contributing factor.
The kinds of chronic pain
Commons types of chronic pain are:
- Low back pain
- Arthritis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Migraines
- Neck pain
- Facial pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Neuropathy (nerve damage)
According to verywellhealth.com, causes are “musculoskeletal injuries or deterioration, nervous system dysfunction, chronic diseases, and autoimmune disorders.”
Chronic pain management with an Omron TENS unit
TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) therapy has been in use for many decades, typically in physical therapy and chiropractic offices. Everyone agrees TENS is very safe and helpful in reducing pain. But scientists don’t completely understand how and why. Theories suggest TENS:
- Helps block pain signals from reaching the brain
- Scrambles pain signals
- Improves blood circulation
- Massages muscles
- Helps release endorphins, the body’s own pain killer
However they work, today’s TENS units are small and portable. They are ideal for use at home or while on the go.
Omron TENS units in particular are easy to use. All are ideal for stiff, sore, and achy muscles in the lower back, arm, leg, shoulder, and more.
There are also Omron TENS units that combine heat therapy with electrotherapy for added, soothing relief.
Help your customers take control of their pain
As September is Pain Awareness Month, use this time to educate your customers on chronic pain management options. And prominently display treatment devices, like TENS units and pedometers from Omron. Because this way, your customers and their family members can take control of their own pain management.
Chronic pain is both a medical and social issue. Therefore effective pain relief—without medications and the accompanying fear of bad side effects or addiction—is a big win for the individual as well as society.