New Ways to Relieve Pain

Don't resign yourself to a life of discomfort. Here's how to stop hurting.

- BY Beth Weinhouse

PAM H. HAD always enjoyed hiking, kayaking and skiing. But beginning in her late 50s, she noticed her left knee was starting to bother her, and soon the osteoarthritis made it too uncomfortable to enjoy the activities she loved. By the time she reached her 70s, it was painful just to walk or drive. She decided to have knee replacement surgery, which had helped many of her friends. Unfortunately, the new knee wound up hurting even more, because it was discovered that Pam was allergic to at least one of the metals it contained. Doctors told her replacing the knee again wasn't an option and she would just have to live with the pain.

The National Institutes of Health estimates that about 1 in 5 U.S. adults—more than 50 million people—experience chronic pain. Aching backs and knees, neck and shoulder pain, headaches, sore feet and arthritic hands are a daily part of life for many.

“Low back pain is one of the most common conditions we treat,” says Benjamin A. Howie, MD, a pain management specialist and assistant professor of anesthesiology practicing at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City. He estimates that once people reach their 60s, nearly half will suffer from some degree of back pain.

By the time patients consult a pain specialist, they've usually tried to manage the pain on their own with rest, heat, ice and over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. And they've probably been to see their primary care provider. But many are still hurting.