Half of the surveyed in Taiwan experience pain weekly

TAIPEI, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) — About 51.8 percent of respondents experience pain at least once a week. The three most common types of pain reported are muscle soreness, headache and joint pain, according to the latest survey on pain perception and behaviors in Taiwan.
However, the survey found that 97.5 percent of those affected do not actively seek medical treatment but choose to endure the pain, mainly due to concerns about the side effects of painkillers, according to a survey commissioned by the Taipei Pharmacists Association (TPA) and the New Taipei Pharmacists Association.
The survey also showed that respondents between the ages of 35 and 54 are the most sensitive to pain and report higher levels of pain than other age groups, while younger people are less likely to express their pain to others.
The survey was conducted through online questionnaires and telephone interviews between June 25 and July 6. A total of 1,099 valid responses were collected from individuals aged 18 to 70. Based on population data, it is estimated that nearly 10 million adults in Taiwan aged 18 and above are affected by pain.
Some medical researchers found that persistent pain can lead to increased sensitivity in the brain’s central nervous system, intensifying the sensation of pain and increasing the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular complications, said Wang Ming-yuan, a TPA spokesperson. She added that delaying treatment may result in chronic pain, with the pain spreading or shifting to other areas. ■