Chronic pain may be the cause of your organisation's productivity levels
Almost half (49%) of Singaporeans experiencing pain have lived with it for more than six months.
Even more alarming, 92% of Singaporeans agree that pain interferes with various aspects of their daily lives and causes a negative impact on the quality of life, according to Core Concepts.
The study also reveals that about one in three will only start treating pain after a few weeks.
On top of inhibiting individuals from carrying out regular activities, pain can have a more pervasive impact on an individual’s daily life. Particularly with cases of persistent pain where pain lasts for more than three to six months, the constant suffering alters an individual’s mood, concentration, sleep patterns, and even their relationships with others.
Interestingly, younger Singaporeans tend to take a more cautious approach to pain and have a
higher tendency to treat pain promptly. Based on survey findings, 18% of millennials aged 25 to 35 years old will treat pain immediately or almost immediately, while only 6% of baby boomers aged 56 years and above will do the same.
Additionally, the study found that 48% of Singaporeans will only start to treat pain when it is affecting their daily routine, for instance when walking and climbing stairs.
“More Singaporeans should be aware of the importance of seeking prompt treatment,” Chng Chye Tuan, senior principal physiotherapist at Core Concepts told HRD.
“When pain persists for prolonged periods of time, there may be physiological changes in how pain is being processed and the magnitude of pain may be more than what is expected.
“If the pain does not go away after more than two weeks with appropriate rest, it is a telling sign for patients to seek professional help to uncover the root cause of the pain.”
