lequebecfume
07-07-2009, 06:30 PM
Chronic pain help a chronic woe: doc
By SHARON LEM, SUN MEDIA
Last Updated: 6th July 2009, 2:34am
TORONTO -- Michael Jackson's death should highlight the need to address Canada's inadequate treatment of chronic pain, experts say.
"In the wake of Michael Jackson's tragic death, it's important not to focus on over-prescribing pain medicine or addiction, but rather focus on the bigger problem, which is the under-treatment of pain," said Dr. Mary Lynch, president of the Canadian Pain Society.
"The (Jackson) reports are saying most people who are prescribed analgesic medication are over-prescribed and become addicts and that's not true," said Lynch, a Dalhousie University professor.
Six million Canadians suffer from moderate to severe chronic pain. But Lynch said there are too few publicly funded pain clinics across Canada.
More than one-third of those suffering from chronic pain stay on the waiting list for more than a year before receiving treatment, he said.
"In the first place, you have to give people access to proper treatment and education about pain management.Chronic pain is a chronic disease and you have to learn basic self-management to control the ongoing pain."
Lynch says a healthy diet, exercise, psychological strategies like relaxation techniques and medication can be helpful when they're used as part of an overall approach to managing pain.
http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/canada/2009/07/06/10034916-sun.html
By SHARON LEM, SUN MEDIA
Last Updated: 6th July 2009, 2:34am
TORONTO -- Michael Jackson's death should highlight the need to address Canada's inadequate treatment of chronic pain, experts say.
"In the wake of Michael Jackson's tragic death, it's important not to focus on over-prescribing pain medicine or addiction, but rather focus on the bigger problem, which is the under-treatment of pain," said Dr. Mary Lynch, president of the Canadian Pain Society.
"The (Jackson) reports are saying most people who are prescribed analgesic medication are over-prescribed and become addicts and that's not true," said Lynch, a Dalhousie University professor.
Six million Canadians suffer from moderate to severe chronic pain. But Lynch said there are too few publicly funded pain clinics across Canada.
More than one-third of those suffering from chronic pain stay on the waiting list for more than a year before receiving treatment, he said.
"In the first place, you have to give people access to proper treatment and education about pain management.Chronic pain is a chronic disease and you have to learn basic self-management to control the ongoing pain."
Lynch says a healthy diet, exercise, psychological strategies like relaxation techniques and medication can be helpful when they're used as part of an overall approach to managing pain.
http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/canada/2009/07/06/10034916-sun.html