Long-Term Disability (LTD) & Chronic Pain
Grillo Law Personal Injury Lawyers
Canada September 20 2021
Patients battling chronic pain know that pain is not their sole problem. It can make it challenging to work out, take care of one’s family or household, and most importantly, make it difficult to work. Such restrictions associated with chronic pain are part of a long suffering period, and there’s no simple way to quantify the pain you may be experiencing.
Many chronic pain patients are concerned that they may not get off work on any disability benefits. Fortunately, you can apply for LTD benefits or payments if you are a worker who can’t work because of the discomfort associated with chronic pain. If you intend to fight for your LTD benefits case, there are essential facts you should know.
Understanding chronic pain
Well, chronic pain is characterized as pain that persists longer than usual following a severe accident or illness, usually more than three months. The pain can be localized, impacting only one body part such as joints, head, or back. On the other hand, there are chronic patients with nerve or muscular discomforts throughout their bodies.
As mentioned earlier, the pain may be caused by sickness, accident, or for no reason at all. In such situations, patients and their healthcare providers may experience worry and frustration as they try to uncover solutions to such challenging health issues.
Causes of chronic pain
Here are the most prevalent medical issues associated with chronic pain syndrome.
Fibromyalgia: This health condition is frequently associated with tiredness, changes in sleep, mood, and memory. The most common symptoms including widespread muscular tenderness and soreness. Talk therapy, medication, and reduction of stress can help manage these symptoms.
Rheumatoid arthritis: Most joints, particularly those in your feet and hands, are affected by this inflammatory disease. With rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system destroys its tissues, such as joints. In extreme conditions, your internal organs may also be attacked. The inflammation linked to rheumatoid arthritis can lead to joint deformities and bone degeneration.
Diabetes: This is a disorder in which the blood glucose level is abnormally high, and it’s also referred to as blood sugar. Note that blood glucose originates from the food you eat and is your body’s source of energy. A pancreatic hormone known as insulin facilitates glucose absorption into your body cells, where it’s used as energy. People with diabetes can develop what’s widely known as diabetic neuropathy or simply have pain, a debilitating condition.
Other causes of chronic pain include back pain, migraines, chronic headache, irritable bowel syndrome, and endometriosis in women. As mentioned earlier, chronic pain can also be caused by severe injuries sustained from an accident.
How does LTD work?
Chronic pain can make it difficult for a patient to work. For those who work in physically demanding professions, chronic pain can restrict their ability to move around or carry items. For other patients who work in sedentary positions, chronic pain can limit their ability to remain seated for a long time.
If you cannot work because of your disability, applying for long-term disability benefits can help you financially during this challenging period.