It’s National Pain Week, and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia is urging rural and remote Australians to see their local doctor if they are experiencing pain, emphasising that it’s important to assess the underlying causes. The RDAA says that in many cases, chronic pain can be managed successfully.
‘The statistics say it all,’ according to RDAA President elect, Dr RT Lewandowski. ‘People who live in rural, regional and remote Australia are more likely to have chronic pain than those who live in the major cities, and people who live outside urban areas are 23 per cent more likely to experience back pain.
‘Additionally, 68 per cent of people living with chronic pain are of working age and 40 per cent of early retirement is due to chronic pain,’ said Dr Lewandowski.
‘Given this, it is not surprising that chronic pain has an enormous financial and social impact, particularly on those living in the bush who often have a lower income base and rely on hard physical labour – including farming – to earn a living.
‘More often than not, rural and remote Australians simply try to live with chronic pain, either in the hope it will go away or because they don’t believe anything can be done about it – but it doesn’t have to be that way,’ he said.
‘Many Rural Generalist doctors and rural GPs are highly experienced in pain management and are an excellent first port of call for those suffering from chronic pain.
‘They can assess your pain, determine whether there are any underlying causes that need further examination or tests, and advise you on required treatment or ways to manage your pain.
‘They may also recommend that you see an allied health professional like a physiotherapist who can assist you with appropriate pain management therapy.’
Everybody hurts
Dr Lewandowski said it’s important to recognise that chronic pain can impact a wide variety of people and ages.
That includes middle-aged and older people (who are most impacted by arthritis) through to young women with endometriosis.
Chronic pain can also occur for a variety of other reasons including injury, surgery, cancer and migraines.
‘Pain can significantly impact quality of life and your ability to study or work,’ he said.
‘So it is really important to see your doctor if you are experiencing any type of pain – either short-term or longer-term chronic pain – to get it checked and also find out what treatment or pain management options are available.
‘We encourage you to make National Pain Week the week to take action in getting help for your pain,’ said Dr Lewandowski.
With chronic pain estimated to affect 3.6 million Australians, you can find out more about National Pain Week here.
