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Health Information: Is Chronic Pain a Disability?

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Jeff Rosenberg
Health Information: Is Chronic Pain a Disability?

Body pain is constant throughout our lifetime. Studies show that an estimated 20% of adults experience chronic pain. The prevalence of chronic pain increases with age. But most of the time, the pain disappears with rest, a massage, some medicine, and a few home remedies. Once it is gone, we can go back to doing our regular tasks. 

But there are a few times when body pain lasts longer than usual. It does not disappear that it already hinders us from normal day-to-day tasks. This type of pain is chronic pain.

Chronic pain is a pain that lasts for more than six months. A healed illness or injury usually causes this, but the pain has not disappeared. It remains in the body for weeks, months, or even years. When you have chronic pain, you experience the following

  • Limited Ability to Move Around
  • Lack of Appetite
  • Fatigue
  • Poor Immune System
  • Stiffness
  • Soreness

Due to being long-term and using medications, the question is: is chronic pain a disability? 

Unfortunately, despite persistent pain, it is not a disability. When trying to apply for disability benefits, insurance companies often deny the person. For them, chronic pain is harder to measure or prove than other obvious injuries or illnesses.

But do not worry. Even though your symptoms are not seen, it does not mean chronic pain is invalid. For those who do not know, it is often a symptom of chronic illnesses, such as:


  • Arthritis
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Migraines
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease

3 Factors for Chronic Pain for Long-Term Disability Benefits

Long-term disability insurance provides money due to a qualifying injury or illness. Once you get the money, you can use it to pay for the medical expenses of your chronic pain

But you should know that applying chronic pain to your LTD insurance is not an easy process. If you want to claim your benefits without stress, you must have the following three factors: 

1. Credibility. Insurance companies need to have proof of your chronic pain. You can describe your pain to different medical practitioners. You can also show your limitations because of it. By doing so, the examiner will most likely believe your credibility of pain. 

There is also a chance the insurance company will assign an examiner. They will observe you moving around or participating in activities. If they see that you do not show any pain-related limitations, they will deny your claim. So, it is important to show that you cannot do anything strenuous or heavy due to your chronic pain

2. Continuous treatment and medication. It is not enough that you only have one or two medical appointments related to your chronic pain. If they see this, the insurance company will most likely reject your LTD claim. This is the same if you do not follow your doctor’s treatment plans and medications. 

If you experience chronic pain, you should do the following:


  • Make Regular Doctor Appointments
  • Take all the Medications Your Doctor Prescribes
  • Go to the Recommended Physical Therapy Sessions
  • Try Alternative Treatments Like Acupuncture or Massage


This will serve as medical evidence for the insurance company. Thus, there is a bigger chance for you to claim your LTD benefits. 

3. Recording. You must record everything about your chronic pain. This can be in any form, such as writing a journal or taking videos. 

When doing this, you can record how your chronic pain is affecting your life and daily activities. You can also describe the following:


  • When the Pain Began
  • To What Extent it Got Worse Over Time
  • Medical and Other Treatments You Have Sought
  • Location and Duration of Your Pain 
  • How Many Times Does Your Pain Occur (Especially When You Are Doing Activities)

When you have these records, it can convince the examiner that your pain is legitimate. This will improve your chances of winning a chronic pain LTD case. It also helps in claiming the benefits that you need.

While many people do not consider chronic pain as a disability, you do not have to worry. With long-term disability benefits, you can get the money that you need to treat it.




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Jeff Rosenberg
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