As chronic pain care becomes more widely accessible and understood, many physicians and researchers alike believe that chronic pain patients should be evaluated for anxiety disorders. Health care providers are becoming more aware of this common occurrence and taking action quickly.
At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, we believe in offering care to our patients on all levels. Having a close relationship with each patient is one of our main concerns. We are attuned with reactions to treatments and the mood levels throughout the care plan.
A study conducted at a Veterans Medical Center in the Midwest evaluated 250 primary care patients who had moderate to severe chronic joint or back pain for over three months.
During the study, the participants were screened assessed for anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety, pain, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress, feeling threatened after stressful event, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). In addition to these disorders, the participants were also assessed for health issues like fatigue, sleep, and work productivity.
After the three month investigation, 45 percent of the patients tested positive for at least one of the anxiety disorders. These individuals also had worse pain and negative quality of life symptoms than those patients without anxiety.
Though these patients showed signs of one or more anxiety disorders, they were never diagnosed. However, their symptoms of anxiety affected the way they lived the rest of their lives within that three-month period.
Clinicians are acclimated to work with other healthcare professionals to assimilate their pain management therapies with psychological therapies. Working in tandem makes for a better adjustment period and more efficient treatment.
Southwest Spine and Pain physicians pay extra attention to our patient’s health. If the expertise of an additional healthcare provider is needed, a treatment plan will be designed to fit both goals for chronic pain management and psychological improvements. If you live in Utah and suffer with chronic pain, call a Southwest Spine and Pain team member today. Let us help you get your life back and manage chronic pain.
If chronic pain is impacting your life, don't wait to schedule an appointment at Southwest Spine and Pain Center. With four locations and same day appointments, the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center are dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic pain live the life they want to! To schedule an appointment, visit our locations tab!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
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