Relief in Sight for Chronic Pain Sufferers

Injury and pain may be considered just a consequence of the job for many soldiers, but the medical professionals at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center here are striving to help wounded soldiers manage their pain so they can continue their Army careers.

"We've definitely seen a steady increase in the incidence of acute and chronic pain within the military population. Just in the nature of their jobs and what they do every day, soldiers are at a greater risk for developing chronic pain," said Dr. Richard Erff, chief of the CRDAMC Pain Clinic. "Helping soldiers manage their pain presents some challenges for us, but we have been successful in helping them experience appreciable relief."

The International Association for the Study of Pain defines chronic pain as pain that persists beyond the typical three-month healing time. Chronic pain can result from injury or surgery and is severe enough to disrupt normal functioning. Many acute or less severe pain issues transition into chronic conditions that require a comprehensive approach to treatment.

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