Living with both Parkinson’s Disease and fibromyalgia, Marlene understands chronic pain. Despite the double-whammy diagnoses, Marlene discovered she could manage the pain through gentle exercise and limit her use of prescription medication.
Once a self-described exercise avoider, Marlene made a commitment to do an hourlong movement class daily 14 years ago when she was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s. NewBridge Services’ Bodies in Motion (formerly called Seniors in Motion) joined the rotation in recent years, and the move-to-music program has become her favorite.
“It gives me relief from the pain, absolutely, but it does more than that for me: I get to dance, something I never did as a kid or an adult, so it’s very special to me,” she said. The sessions also provide camaraderie for the retired elementary school teacher, as the final minutes of each session are dedicated to socializing.
Even on days when her pain or fatigue level is up, “no matter how I feel, I do it because I know I always feel better afterward,” the 77-year-old said. “It’s always something I look forward to.”
Chronic Pain Facts
Chronic pain affects an estimated 51.6 million Americans — more than 1 in 5 people —making pain awareness critical during Pain Awareness Month. It is pain that lasts at least three months and affects daily living. It can significantly reduce an individual’s quality of life and result in emotional pain, depression, insomnia, impaired cognitive function, higher suicide risk, and substance abuse. During Pain Awareness Month, NewBridge Services is sharing information about ways to deal with chronic pain that are effective and safe.
Chronic Pain Causes
Arthritis, cancer, traumatic injury, peripheral vascular diseases, and neurodegenerative and musculoskeletal conditions top the list of chronic pain conditions. However, often the cause is not known, and can involve multiple factors. Chronic pain is debilitating, and can result in emotional distress and social isolation.
Chronic Pain Awareness: Prescription Painkillers
In the late 1990s, opioid medications became the go-to answer for chronic pain. As part of chronic pain awareness, it’s essential to understand the risks and explore alternative treatments. However, that came with a heavy cost, as overdose deaths soared in the following years. Prescription opioids can slow a person’s breathing. They carry serious risks of addiction and overdose, especially with prolonged use. Patients build tolerance, and need to increase their dosage to get the same level of relief.
Drug overdose deaths involving prescription opioids more than tripled between 1999 (3,442 deaths) and 2022 (14,716), according to statistics from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. 2017 marked the height of deaths from prescription opioids, with 17,029. In 2021, 20% of the 5,541 unintentional drug overdose deaths of adults ages 65 and up involved prescription painkillers, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Side effects of opioids include constipation, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, dizziness, and confusion, the CDC reported.
Chronic Pain Management Resources
Cognitive behavioral therapy for pain management has proven effective, joining a growing list of safe severe pain management treatments. The National Institute on Aging urges those with chronic pain to maintain a healthy weight, get solid sleep, be physically active, and join a peer support group. The institute also advises against using tobacco, caffeine and alcohol, which can interfere with treatment.
Tame The Pain is a key component of NewBridge Services’ chronic pain awareness effort, teaching participants about the risks of prescription painkillers, and options for chronic pain management that don’t involve opioids. There is growing evidence that exercise, acupuncture, yoga, meditation, physical therapy, biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy, and chiropractic care can help manage pain, often in combination with medications like acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
NewBridge Can Help
NewBridge provides Bodies in Motion in collaboration with Life Center Stage and Syzygy Dance Project. The free program is offered in six-week sessions throughout the year, most often over Zoom.
“The classes make a big difference,” said Donnelly, who lives in Butler. “I never could have stayed on my feet for so long before taking this program, but it’s helped me build stamina.”
For more information about Tame the Pain and Bodies in Motion, contact Beth Jacobson, NewBridge’s Director of Community Response and Education, at (973) 686-2242 or ejacobson@newbridge.org.
September is not only Pain Awareness Month, but also Suicide Prevention Month, Recovery Month, and Healthy Aging Month. NewBridge Services is committed to helping people overcome chronic pain, addiction, depression, trauma and other life factors that can lead to suicidal ideation. Contact NewBridge at (973) 316-9333 or online if you need help. If you are in crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline by calling or texting 988. Please support our life-affirming work by making a donation at https://fundraise.givesmart.com/f/5a03/n?vid=1kwscr. Thank you.
