Pain Control Policies

When you represent people with disabilities and work injuries you come across misunderstandings about the use of certain strong medications to treat pain. Surprisingly even some physicians do not seem to understand the policy of the Colorado Medical Board or avoid dealing with it if at all possible. On February 10, 2009 another policy was issued by two national medical groups. It also tells us that strong medication or controlled substances like opioids can be helpful for pain management. If people can be more functional and their pain is reduced isn't that good or are we so fearful of abuse that we choose to let them stay hurting? That said Colorado does allow for controlled substances like opioids to be used although other efforts should be made when possible. Here is a link to the Colorado guideline on chronic pain in workers compensation.