Americans with chronic pain say that current treatments using prescription painkillers do not work, leading to years of intense suffering, thoughts of suicide, and often dependence on the medications. According to a new national survey sponsored by the Center for Public Advocacy at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, chronic pain is creating an epidemic of addiction."Many people with chronic pain feel hopeless," said Dr. Peter Przekop, a leading US chronic pain and addiction treatment expert who treats patients at the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California. "The pain seems unending, traditional treatment often leads to drug addiction, and many wonder if life is worth living."The 100 million Americans who suffer from chronic pain do so at a cost of around $600 billion a year in medical treatments and lost productivity.The survey reveals that nearly 80 percent of those being medicated for their pain would be willing to reduce or eliminate their...

Why do I have chronic shoulder pain?If you’ve ever suffered from chronic shoulder pain, you know how difficult life is when you’re working with this condition.  But you are absolutely not alone. Shoulder pain is a common problem. There are a variety of potential causes for this discomfort.  Why? Because the shoulder is complex.The first step in getting rid of your shoulder pain is always understanding the cause of the pain.  If you think you’re suffering from any of these conditions, it’s good to schedule a checkup with your primary care physician.Common Causes for Chronic Shoulder PainFrozen ShoulderThis condition (also called ‘adhesive capsuliitis’) is when the shoulder becomes immobilized. The exact cause is unkown. Most commonly it affects people between the ages of 40 – 60, particularly women.Rotator Cuff TearA torn rotator cuff occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff separate from the bone. Sometimes they separate completely (which can require...