SHow #441 Airing Sunday, 7/20/08
While you may not experience your friend’s or loved one’s chronic back pain exactly the same way they do, you do know that the consequences of their pain can be far-reaching. Here to describe why seeking relief is a family affair is Dr. Noel Abood of the Solon Spine and Wellness Center.
Question: In your practice, you meet people who have suffered months, perhaps year, of chronic pain.
Answer: Yes, I do. Whether the back pain is from a previous injury, lack of exercise, or arthritis, many of the people that I see have been suffering from chronic pain for a long time. People try to live with the pain for as long as possible because they don’t want surgery.
Question: How does chronic back pain change people?
Answer: In dealing with people in such a situation, I have noticed a pattern of how pain affects a person. It may sound trite, but you can really see it in their eyes and in their body language. There really is a loss of self. They may no longer the breadwinner of their family, and they may not be able to continue their prior life activities, and that really puts them under stress and negatively affects their self-image. They’ve given up on many hopes and dreams; they can’t even take a long car ride, let along plan to travel, increase their business, or find a new job.
Many of these patients are living on short-acting medication, which can make them moody and sleepy.
Question: Over time, does chronic pain have a ripple effect on friends and family?
Answer: People in chronic pain tend to want to isolate themselves. They don’t want to attend a party or join a book club—they more often want to be alone. This can be very difficult for a person’s spouse or children, who may eventually form resentments.
Question: How bad can it get?
Answer: You know, one day they may feel some relief, and then the next day the pain is back, and they start the psychological distress all over again. Many of the people I meet are actually suicidal. In my consultations, people, even grown men, break down crying. In addition, these individuals often become very distrustful of doctors, through no fault of the doctors. But it’s could be 7, 8, 10 years of trying different medications and physical therapy, and nothing is working.
Question: Is there any hope?
Answer: New procedures are coming along all the time that can help combat pain. In my practice, I’ve had wonderful results with lumbar decompression. This non-surgical procedure allows the body to heal itself—it re-grows its own disc tissue.
Again, this treatment might not be for everyone, but it’s worth taking a look. I’ve seen incredible results.
Question: Helping a person get out of the cycle of pain must be gratifying.
Answer: It’s incredibly rewarding to see the relief people experience after successful lumbar decompression. They are so happy to do the simple things, such as take a two-hour car ride or a walk with their spouse. I remember one woman who broke into tears telling me she was able to sit on the floor and play with her grandchildren for the first time.
It’s a quality of life issue. People can resume the job they love, start exercising again, etc.
Today, it’s possible to break the cycle of chronic back pain. To learn more about lumbar decompression, call the Solon Spine and Wellness Center. Their number’s next. My thanks to Dr. Noel Abood.
