This article on the multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of musculoskeletal pain was of particular interest to me. In my practice, I deal with many patients who have chronic pain. Sometimes the pain the experience is an element of physical disease. Sometimes the pain is an element of psychosocial distress. Often times my severely depressed patients present which chronic pain issues. Depending on the patient's insight into his or her disease, it may be easy to address the psychological elements of pain. Other times, patients seek relief via escalating doses of narcotic pain medication, whether prescribed or illicit, in an attempt to numb the pain, caring little from where the pain comes. There is often times a disconnect between me and the patient's medical provider regarding treatment, so an article which recommended a multidisciplinary approach was of specific interest to me.
             In this article, it was noted that in more than 90% of the cases of chronic musculoskeletal pain there can be identified no organic reason for the pain. The researchers identified several associated secondary stressors with chronic pain such as unemployment, interpersonal problems, sleep disruption and psychosocial disruption. Depression and anxiety were noted to be the most common psychological problems associated with chronic pain. These mood issues can also effect the patient's perception of the disease in their present life. Anxiety related to pain can often be traced to the patient's fear that the pain represents an underlying element on ongoing damage to the body. The patient may then limit activity, fearing harming the body further. In this study it was believed that the better the patient was able to understand his or her symptoms and the impact of his or her symptoms on daily life, the better the patient would be able to function and remain healthy as possible physically, mentally and spiritually.
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