In this episode of Hands On Health, Drs. Frain discuss the most common types of chronic pain, as well as solutions from a medical perspective and alternative healthcare perspective. 

According to the CDC, over 50 million adults suffer with chronic pain. Roughly 80% of those adults also suffer with depression. Chronic pain is the leading cause of disability in the United States, with the nation spending over $635 billion per year in treatments, disability payments, and lost productivity. 

Chronic pain will usually result from one of two events; an illness or injury that you have recovered from, but still experience pain, or something that is ongoing, like arthritis. Pain is our body's way of letting us know that something is wrong. Sometimes a past illness or injury can cause a cycle of inflammation that becomes chronic. 

Currently, traditional medicine treats chronic pain through the use of pain meds or injections. The consequences of using medication for chronic pain can include addiction, kidney problems, fluid retention, high blood pressure, stomach bleeding, ulcers, disruption of normal gut flora, etc... 

Alternative healthcare focuses on finding the cause of chronic pain. Treatment may include things like supplements, nutrition, chiropractic care, and laser therapy. 

Advances in laser therapy are now allowing chronic pain patients to significantly decrease, or even eliminate, their chronic pain. However, not all lasers are treated equal. 

Drs. Frain discuss the difference between cold and hot laser, therapeutic vs. surgical laser, and classes of lasers from Class I through Class IV. They review the uses for each type of laser and how it can help alleviate the pain for chronic pain patients. 

Drs. Susan and Patrick Frain have a family wellness practice in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Their practice, which opened in 2003, focuses on helping families achieve better health through nutrition, exercise, and a balanced nerve system.

Drs. Frain are both graduates of Benedictine University in the Chicago area, and received their Doctor of Chiropractic degrees from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa.

This podcast is for information purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice.

For more information on any of the topics discussed in this episode, please email drsusan@frainfamilychiropractic.com.