Chronic Pain: Aโ Multifaceted Challenge Demanding Holistic Solutions
Madrid,January 27,2025 โฃโ Chronic โpain is more than just physical discomfort; itโs a pervasive health issue โaffecting millions globally. Beyond the physical toll,โข it substantially impacts emotional well-being, work performance, and quality of life. Dr. Valentina Maitin, a specialist โin Physical Medicineโข and Rehabilitation at the Gregorio Maraรฑรณn University General Hospital, emphasizes the need โคto address chronic pain from aโ holistic viewpoint, considering its psychosocial and workplace implications.According to the Spanish Pain Society (SED), 17% of Spainโs population suffers from chronic pain, posing a substantial challenge to both healthcare and economic systems.โข This issue isโ not unique to Spain. A study published in Pain magazine revealed that in 2019,chronic pain cost the U.S. economy $296 billion annually due to lost productivity.
Chronic pain โis often linked to musculoskeletal conditions like low back pain, cervical pain, and knee osteoarthritis, increasingly affecting individuals of working age. Dr. Maitin explains that patients faceโ a dual burden: physical โsymptoms and mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and stress. โChronic pain is a complex andโค multifaceted phenomenon. Not โonly physically disables, but alsoโฃ deteriorates the patient’s mental health. The lack of mobility and stress related to work decline create a vicious cycle that feedsโข up, further makingโข recovery challenging,โ she says.
To combatโฃ this, Dr. Maitin advocates for a multidisciplinary and integral approach. Physical medicine and rehabilitation, enriched by non-invasive techniques, therapeutic exercises, and emotional management, helps patients regain control of their lives. This โฃholistic method not only alleviates physical pain but โalso enhances โคemotional well-being, self-esteem, social relationships, and โreadiness to return to work.โ
Recent studies highlight the direct link โขbetween chronic pain and work absenteeism. โThe european Agency for Safety and โฃHealth at Work (EU-OSHA) found thatโ nearly 60% of work-related disabilities โin the EU are tied toโฃ musculoskeletal issues and chronic pain. This underscores the urgent need for rehabilitation โprograms addressing both physical and psychological aspects, with patients actively participating inโ theirโ recovery.
Dr. Maitin stresses โthe importance of patient โฃinvolvement โin rehabilitation. โIn rehabilitation, the best results areโฃ obtained when the doctor and the patient work as โขa team to achieve a common goal,โ โshe notes. Through her clinical practice,she has seen notable improvements inโฃ patientsโโ quality ofโ life and work reintegration when โคtreatments incorporate emotional components. โIt is not just about relieving physicalโข pain, but helping people retake control of their lives โคand well-being. Rehabilitation should be a tool for patient empowerment,โ she adds. โ
| Key Insights on Chronic Pain |
|———————————-|
| Prevalence: 17% of Spainโs population โขsuffers from chronic pain. | โฃ
| Economic Impact: Chronic pain cost the U.S.โค $296 billion in lost productivity inโข 2019. |
| Common Conditions: Low back pain, cervical pain, knee osteoarthritis. |
| Workplace Impact:โ 60% of EU work disabilities are linked to musculoskeletal issues andโ chronic pain. |
| Solution: Multidisciplinary rehabilitationโข combining physical and emotional care. |
Dr. Maitinโs approach to chronic pain through physical medicine and โคrehabilitation offers a promising path toโค recovery, improving both productivityโข and โขemotional well-being. For more data on her work, visit Dr.Valentina Maitinโs profile.
Chronic pain is not just a personal struggle; itโs a societal challenge requiring comprehensiveโ solutions. By adopting a holistic approach, we can โempower patients to reclaim their lives and well-being.

