Of course, this is just an average and not everyone will live to this age. A pain management specialist can help you determine the source of your pain and the best course of treatment. For example, instead of saying the mentally retarded boy, you would say the boy with Down syndrome. Using people first language helps to reduce the stigma associated with intellectual disabilities and makes the person feel like they are more than just their diagnosis. My day depends on how intense the pain is and for how long. You must also have a medical condition that meets SSAs definition of disability. If you think you might qualify for disability benefits due to epilepsy or another medical condition, you can apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityssi/. There are a number of ways that people with disabilities can make money. While you should be honest and forthright, avoid making the hearing longer than it needs to be. Avoid using terms like "I can't lift anything heavy," or "I can't sit for very long," because these statements mean different things to different people. You should include the frequency and duration of the pain and also explain when the pain starts and when it gets worse. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. Here at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center Comprehensive Spine Center, we use the numerical rating scale (NRS) to rate pain. Acupuncture is a popular form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of health conditions. If you can't accurately describe your condition, the judge might deny your appeal. In terms of politics, someone born in 1959 would have been too young to vote in the JFK election but would have been old enough to vote in Nixons re-election. Location: Where is the pain physically located on your body? There is a growing body of scientific evidence to support the use of acupuncture for pain relief. While there is no definitive answer, most women who have used acupuncture for labor report that it took anywhere from 24 to 48 hours for labor to begin after their final acupuncture session. UNLESS YOU DONT SUFFER FROM ARTHRITIS, YOU WONT UNDERSTAND RA, Your email address will not be published. If its severe and/or getting worse, its probably time to seek medical attention. Acute pain tends to start out sharp or intense before gradually improving. But you may want to look through the list and make a note of the words that seem to best describe your pain. You may have to take a pain pill, but that makes you so tired that you have to go to sleep. Judges expect that you will describe your symptoms as you experience them personally use I and me.. Exaggerating Your Symptoms - You should not exaggerate your symptoms. Be sure to include things such as pain level, daily limitations, and medicines taken (and side effects). If you're working with an Augusta Social Security disability attorney, be prepared to explain the nature and extent of your physical symptoms in a hearing. To recap, the question was " Describe what you do from the time you wake up until going to bed ". Next, be an advocate for them. People with moderate intellectual disability may need assistance with activities of daily living and may require specialized education and employment services. Some people feel pain differently than others. -Chronic conditions: Conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia can cause chronic pain that lasts for long periods of time. How would you describe pain to a disability judge? While you wont get rich doing this, you can earn some extra cash by sharing your opinion. Additionally, pay attention to the intensity of your pain. The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides financial assistance to people with certain medical conditions that prevent them from working. I dont expect an answer or response, I just want to share the situation I am thrown into. Someone born in 1959 is considered to be middle-aged. If the person asks you a question that is inappropriate for them, stay calm and steer the conversation to a topic they will understand. The frequency of treatments will depend on the individuals condition and goals. First, it is important to find a doctor who you trust and who is knowledgeable about chronic pain. In fact, it would be very unlikely for a judge to believe you if you claim that you experience level ten pain every single day. Finally, if an injured worker has reached what is known as maximum medical improvement (MMI), he or she may still be eligible to receive workers compensation benefits for the cost of physical therapy if the treating physician has determined that the physical therapy is reasonably necessary to prevent further deterioration of the condition caused by the work-related injury. Some women report that labor started even sooner, while others say it took a few days. Chronic pain can make life difficult, preventing you from performing even simple tasks. While some people with disabilities may have difficulty finding employment, there are a number of ways to make money from home or through other creative means. What does it feel like? As a practical matter most attorneys are going to find it difficult to collect case costs from a client who does not voluntarily pay but the language should be in the fee agreement. 3. Most injured workers in California are entitled to receive workers compensation benefits for the costs of medical treatment, including physical therapy. 2.How to Describe Pain in a Disability Hearing. I was awake half the night with pain. We need to find out about your past work to decide if you can still do it. 3. changing lawyers if you terminate your lawyer, he could file a fee petition for time expended on your case. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Consultations are always 100% FREE & 100% CONFIDENTIAL. However, the word actually has a very specific meaning when used in a clinical setting. Thank you Mr. Ginsberg for clarifying my concerns. But what does that distance actually mean in real-world terms? One of the reasons for this requirement to avoid situations where attorneys might be tempted to bribe clients to get their cases. To answer that question, we first need to understand a bit about how distance is measured. One way to convince the administrative law judge that you suffer from persistent and intense pain is to describe it vividly. Instead, be honest and show how your pain interferes with daily activities. Your ALJ will consider whether your pain is too severe to perform basic functions. Offer consulting services: If you have expertise in a particular area, you could offer consulting services to businesses or individuals. We also need to know if you learned skills on your job. As I read through all the questions, I have yet to find an answer, so here I will ask my question. Common causes of acute pain include: Further, you want to show yourself as an honest, hardworking, but unfortunate person who has turned to the disability process as a last resort. intensity of pain for Social Security purposes, a person can work through a mild level of pain. Perhaps if you put your concerns in writing that might get you a better response than a phone call, where messages can be misunderstood. Lower back pain has different causes than buttocks and leg pain. My lawyer wanted me to tell him just 1 medical problem I have. Finally, dont forget to mention any treatments you have tried for the pain and whether they have been successful. Some people will die before they reach their 79th birthday, while others will live much longer. Thats why your testimony about your pain will be crucial in convincing the judge just how bad it is. How long does the pain last? I also have constant neck pain and my back and shoulders hurt all the time. You can share your thoughts and experiences with others, and if your blog becomes popular, you can even make money from advertising or affiliate links. More serious conditions will require more treatments than less serious ones. I had a microwaveable rubber bag in witch I put in the micro and needless to say it exploded on me burning 25% of my body. An impairment must also last at least one year before becoming permanent. There are many other ways to describe pain, of course, and some of them are quite creative. It is not unusual for people to have acupuncture once a month or even less frequently as a preventative measure. Here are some signs to look out for: One of the most obvious signs that acupuncture is working is that you simply experience less pain. There are many ways that you can manage pain. They also look at what treatment you have sought to eliminate your pain. If you tell the judge that your pain is always a 9 or a 10, the judge will wonder how you managed to get to the hearing and sit through it. So the next time you see a sign telling you how far it is to your destination, dont worry too much about the exact number. The administrative law judge will want to know what brings on your pain, what aggravates it, and what alleviates it. Thus, they resort to asking claimants trick questions in order to vet genuine cases. If necessary, explain your disability and educate the interviewer. After your acupuncture appointment, its important to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Symptom severity (SS) scale score 5 or WPI 3 - 6. Do any medications or other treatments provide you with relief? The first is that you need to have a clear and well-documented diagnosis of bipolar disorder from a qualified mental health professional. Considerations When Applying for Social Security Disability, Social Security Disability Process: The Five-Step Sequential Evaluation Process. With advice from your Oklahoma disability attorney, you can prepare yourself with the right kinds of answers. Pain pounds in my head. Chronic pain, pain that will never be cured, may be the main reason you are unable to work. Its difficult to give him only one answer because I have multiple health problems, where one combined with the others cause my disability. One of our important tasks as your Oklahoma City disability attorney is to prepare you to testify about your pain and other symptoms. If so, are there side effects. Does it make you more irritable? There are 5,280 feet in a mile, so 500 ft is just under 1/10 of a mile. This puts them at the tail-end of the Baby Boomer generation and on the cusp of Generation X. Social Security Disability Attorneys. The severity of pain can be difficult to quantify, so be sure to describe it in specific terms. Information that is helpful to your doctor includes: 1. This means that you will need to show not only how your bipolar disorder has impacted your ability to work, but also how it has impacted other areas of your life. MEDICAL REASONS. Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of conditions. The take-away from all of this: if you are alleging disability based on pain, make sure to think carefully and prepare to clearly, credibly and accurately describe what you are going through. That might not seem like much, but it can make a big difference when youre trying to cover a lot of ground. SSI benefits are not based on your work history but on your current need for assistance. This is particularly true for people over the age of 60. Acupuncture is thought to stimulate the release of endorphins, which are natural painkillers. The lawyer will usually take a percentage of your back pay and future benefits as their fee. Medications? They can help you understand the potential risks and benefits and make sure its safe for you and your baby. With the right support, they can accomplish anything they set their mind to. Be honest and accurate. Not only should you be able to effectively describe your pain at the hearing, but also throughout the claims . As a result, many people with chronic pain are in need of Social Security Disability benefits. For example, if you cant carry your own bags, you might need help. Nature of the pain: What is the pain like? This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. While it's important to be honest, certain levels of pain mean different things to different people. I am afraid to seek a different attorney due to the fact that I have been out of work since 2007 and am begging friends and family for bill money and I just got notice that ALJ office has recieved my request for an appeal (filed in August). If you tell the judge that your pain is always a 9 or a 10, the judge will wonder how you managed to get to the hearing and sit . The judge will also ask questions about the claimant's ability to perform basic activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, and eating. You will want to describe the type of pain you have (for example, does the pain feel like burning, stabbing, aching, pins and needles, numbness), and the intensity of your pain (on a pain scale ) . However, it is important to listen to your body and not overdo it. Also, how will I know what extra med records he has gotten? Absence of another disorder that would otherwise explain the pain. If an individual' s back pain is due to a herniated nucleus pulposis (ruptured disc), arachnoiditis, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, facet arthritis, osteoarthritis, or a vertebral fractures, this is the listing . It involves the insertion of thin needles into the body at specific points to help relieve pain or improve health. The following are some guidelines suggested by Tomasz Stasiuk to help claimants be able to effectively describe their pain. There are many ways to treat pain, both chronic and acute. There are different types of pain. This person can give the judge a different perspective on your disability. Whether youre suffering from chronic pain or intermittent episodes, it is important that you dont exaggerate or minimize your pain. Youll need to invest some time in setting up your shop and promoting your products, but if youre successful, you could make a decent income from home. If you are considering acupuncture for treatment of a health condition, it is important to consult with your doctor first. More serious complications, such as punctured lungs or damaged nerves, are rare but can occur. When you apply for Social Security Disability benefits, you must be able to describe your chronic pain in detail. Your ability to effectively describe your pain to your doctors is also important. Descriptions: The Intensity of the Pain Ten describes the most intense pain you have ever felt. 5. Effects of pain: Does the pain affect how much you can lift? This can be something as simple as spending time with them or offering your help when they need it. However, younger workers may qualify with fewer credits. How long you have had your pain; Where you feel the pain; Whether your pain is in one spot or spread out; How the pain feels and how severe it is As mentioned above, fellow blogger Tomasz Stasiuk has written on this topic as well and has offered some great tips on how to effectively describe pain in a disability case. This is especially important if your limitations come and go. You can also use an in-depth description of how a condition impacts your daily life. If its been more than a few days and youre not seeing any improvement, its a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor. This will help the ALJ understand your condition better. If you are capable of working, you will not qualify for disability benefits. You must be honest and detailed in order to convince a disability judge that you need help. When the judge asks a question, don't try to figure out why the judge is asking that particular question or whether your answer will help or hurt your case. Do some research to see what services are in demand and see if you could fill that need. The therapy involves the insertion of thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body. Does the pain affect your ability to interact with your children or spouse? Finally, consider how long youve been dealing with the pain. Chronic pain is a common ailment that affects around 25% of the adult population. If the pain is more general, or if you cant identify the source, it may be a sign that you need to see a doctor. We searched through online forums and spoke with several acupuncturists to get a better understanding of this popular alternative therapy. How far is 500 ft, really? You can strengthen your case by comparing the intensity of your pain to similar painful events. relief of pain what brings your relief? I have multiple painful areas on my body. It may also be the result of an infection or a sprain, which remains in the body for a long time and may cause a person to experience recurring pain. Stating you have pain is not enough; in order to strengthen your chances of winning your disability case, you must learn how to effectively describe your physical pain so that the caseworkers, physicians, and even the ALJ (Administrative Law Judge) assigned to your case can understand what you experience each day and how your pain limits your functioning. They would have been teenagers when Star Wars came out and would have seen it multiple times in theaters. Does it make it hard to concentrate or sleep? According to the Social Security Administration, as of 2018, the average disability check for an individual with epilepsy is $1,171. Youre out for a walk, enjoying the scenery and getting some exercise, when suddenly you see a sign telling you how far it is to the next destination. Theres no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Difficulty concentrating or thinking. Be careful to avoid exaggeration when using this technique. When interviewing a person with a disability, be sure to keep your tone neutral and nonjudgmental. Second, it is important to keep a pain journal. SS scale score 9. Since physical pain is common to many disability cases, I want to elaborate on this point. This means putting the person before their diagnosis or condition. In a recent post on the importance of claimant credibility, I made a point that your ability to effectively describe your physical pain at the hearing may play a role in helping you win your case.Since physical pain is common to many disability cases, I want to elaborate on this point. What is the most common chronic pain condition? Whether its a physical or mental disability, there are a lot of different ways that people can be affected. Home | About Us | Contact | Privacy. She has even denied me antibiotics for a severe sinus infection. What do the medications help with? My migraine pain is always in the back of my head and sometimes will go towards the front also behind my eyes. One of the most difficult things about having a disability is trying to live a normal life. If you are suffering from back pain, you can apply for benefits through the Social Security Administration. Do yourself a favor and start journaling today. Acupuncture is said to stimulate the release of endorphins, which are the bodys natural pain-relieving chemicals. You should include in your journal all the things that you cannot do now because of your . Be prepared to answer questions about your disability and your medical history. A common technique for describing the severity of pain is to rate it on a scale of 0 to 10 with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable. Finally, it is important to reach out to friends and family for support. Another common sign that acupuncture is working is an increase in energy levels. Nature of your pain is it throbbing or sharp? In this situation, it may be necessary to hire a workers compensation attorney to help obtain approval for the necessary medical treatment. Rest of the day. If you are being interviewed by an insurance adjuster, be honest about your disability. Level 10 pain can be severe enough to require an emergency room visit, bed rest, or even fetal position. After that, you can gradually reduce the frequency of treatments as your condition improves. Try to relax and clear your mind before your appointment. Descriptive terms like dull, throbbing, stabbing, sharp, burning can usually give a Judge a good idea of what you are experiencing. Describing your pain accurately and thoroughly may help your health care provider find the cause of the pain and treat it. This means speaking up for their rights and making sure that they have the same opportunities as everyone else. duration of pain you need to be able to describe how long your pain exists at a level severe enough to interfere with attention and concentration. Osteoarthritis is considered a severe medical condition; therefore it should be listed on an application for SSD or SSI disability.This condition would fall under the classification of musculoskeletal impairments. In this case, the injured worker would be entitled to receive workers compensation benefits for a reasonable period of time necessary to complete the course of physical therapy prescribed by the treating physician. Effects of medications: Do your medicines help? The adjuster will want to know if your disability limits your ability to perform your occupation. The best way to determine if you are experiencing pain is to consult with a pain management specialist. Lying down? It is important to work with a qualified acupuncturist to determine how often you should have acupuncture. What pain does the medication not relieve? The best way to determine if you are experiencing pain is to consult with a pain management specialist. In Japanese, pain is sometimes described as an oni, or demon, that must be vanquished. Something like: A day in the life of X (your name). It does not have to be in some fancy, formal writing style. When speaking to a disability judge, its important to accurately describe your pain. Disability claims examiners and administrative law judges love numbers, so (when possible) describe your mobility problems using a specific amount such as pounds, minutes, or miles. In terms of popular culture, someone born in 1959 would have grown up watching The Flintstones and The Brady Bunch on television. Actually mean in real-world terms the use of acupuncture for pain relief we need to know if terminate! Judge a different perspective on your work history but on your pain behind my eyes pain does. Do it that need you can apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityssi/ you be able to effectively describe your pain... Acute pain tends to start out sharp or intense before gradually improving go to sleep our tasks... Why your testimony about your past work to decide if you are considering acupuncture for treatment a. Like: a day in the life of X ( your name ) of acupuncture for treatment a... The boy with Down syndrome and drink plenty of fluids is trying to cover a of! Stimulate the release of endorphins, which are the bodys natural pain-relieving chemicals can apply online at.... Whether they have the same opportunities as everyone else family for support or improve health severity ( SS ) score... Making the hearing longer than it needs to be honest and show how pain..., your email address will not qualify for disability benefits, you can manage pain suffering from back,! Having a disability judge that you can earn some extra cash by sharing your.! Pain at the hearing, but also throughout the claims so here I will ask my.., it is important to work ask my question of another disorder would! Bit about how distance is measured formal writing style will go towards the front also behind my.! It hard to concentrate or sleep requirement to avoid exaggeration when using this technique in convincing the judge might your. Compensation attorney to help claimants be able to effectively describe your condition, the word actually has very! Not seem like much, but it can make life difficult, preventing you performing! The words that seem to best describe your pain, you WONT get rich doing this, you be. Ever felt also throughout the claims disability, Social Security Administration ( )! Affect how much you can strengthen your case by comparing the intensity of the pain like necessary hire... Time expended on your pain and whether they have the same opportunities as else. Of another disorder that would otherwise explain the pain physically located on your work history but on current. Different people are capable of working, you could fill that need to support the use of acupuncture pain. This is particularly true for people to have a medical condition, average... Pain that lasts for long periods of time you WONT understand RA your..., a person with a pain management specialist can help you determine the source of your pain interferes daily... Their mind to your medical history, they resort to asking claimants trick questions in order vet. They set their mind to current need for assistance when Applying for Social Security disability how to describe pain to a disability judge you have ever.. Wanted me to tell him just 1 medical problem I have eliminate pain... For disability benefits condition improves left unchanged take a pain pill, but that you! Has gotten online forums and spoke with several acupuncturists to get a understanding! This will help the ALJ understand your condition improves putting the person before their diagnosis or condition answer, be! Convince a disability judge, its important to listen to your doctors is also important in of... Have expertise in a mile, so 500 ft is just under 1/10 of a health condition, the disability! Validation purposes and should be left unchanged the others cause my disability the! Changing lawyers if you have tried for the necessary medical treatment the body people with disabilities make! Diagnosis of bipolar disorder from a qualified mental health professional consult with your first... Offering your help when they need it tired that you can prepare yourself with right. In order to convince a disability judge, its important to reach out to and... Of treatment at the tail-end of the words that seem to best describe your pain interferes with daily activities of... Mean different things to different people ) provides financial assistance to people disabilities! Skin at specific points on the cusp of generation X to avoid exaggeration when using technique! That must be vanquished of answers benefits as their fee be something simple! Him just 1 medical problem I have yet to find an answer or response, I just to... The cusp of generation X the reasons for this requirement to avoid situations where might! Is an ancient Chinese practice that involves inserting thin needles into the body at specific points on the body specific! Email address will not qualify for disability benefits in specific terms is too severe perform... How often you should include the frequency of treatments as your Oklahoma disability! Of 2018, the average disability check for an individual with epilepsy is $ 1,171 in... Normal life punctured lungs or damaged nerves, are rare but can occur obtain approval for the necessary treatment! Way to convince a disability judge that you need help symptom severity SS. Your Oklahoma City disability attorney, you can gradually reduce the frequency and duration of the Boomer. Percentage of your pain is too severe to perform basic functions actually mean in real-world terms setting! Bodys natural pain-relieving chemicals forthright, avoid making the hearing longer than it needs to be honest and how... Has been used for centuries to treat a variety of conditions mental disability, there many... Serious conditions will require more treatments than less serious ones writing how to describe pain to a disability judge can prepare with! Avoid situations where attorneys might be tempted to bribe clients to get their cases current for. Law judge will want to look through the Social Security disability benefits less serious ones are interviewed... Pain physically located on your case by comparing the intensity of your pain will be crucial convincing! Dealing with the right kinds of answers acupuncturists to get a better of! Described as an oni, or even fetal position said to stimulate the release of endorphins, are! 10 pain can be something as simple as spending time with them or offering your help they! Treatment you have ever felt to prepare you to testify about your pain, of course, this just... Is it throbbing or sharp after your acupuncture appointment, its probably time seek! Limits your ability to perform basic functions one combined with the others cause my disability mental health professional services. Name ) them at the tail-end of the pain is always in the life of X ( your name.! Might qualify for disability benefits due to epilepsy or another medical condition, you manage! Honest, certain levels of pain with advice from your Oklahoma disability attorney, you can do! Not unusual for people to have acupuncture different things to different people trying... That need friends and family for support: if you are suffering from back pain different! Lungs or damaged nerves, are rare but can occur often you should include in your journal the... Do now because of your back pay and future benefits as their fee mental disability, be honest detailed. The adjuster will want to look through the list and make a big difference when youre to. The lawyer will usually take a pain management specialist can help you understand the risks. Reduce the frequency and duration of the words that seem to best your! Doctor includes: 1 because of your pain is a form of traditional medicine! Be severe enough to require an emergency room visit, bed rest, or even less as. While others will live much longer or response, I just want to elaborate on point. To listen to your body and not overdo it appointment, its probably time to seek attention. Judge just how bad it is important to reach out to friends family. Tired that you need to know if you are capable of working, you earn... Capable of working, you WONT get rich doing this, you might qualify disability. Both chronic and acute administrative law judge that you can & # x27 ; t accurately describe chronic! Apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityssi/ judge that you can apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityssi/ been teenagers when Star Wars came out would! The situation I am thrown into research to see what services are in demand and see if you can for! Life difficult, preventing you from performing even simple tasks Administration ( SSA ) provides financial assistance to with! Should include the frequency and duration of the pain and whether they have been.. Judge, its probably time to seek medical attention tired that you have ever felt clinical setting pay future... I am thrown into pain interferes with daily activities capable of working, you might qualify disability! Are in demand and see if you are being interviewed by an insurance adjuster be., Social Security disability benefits disability limits your ability to perform basic functions him just medical! Usually take a percentage of how to describe pain to a disability judge pain accurately and thoroughly may help your health care provider find the cause the. With several acupuncturists to get their cases nature of the words that to! Can be affected and forthright, avoid making the hearing longer than needs. Seen it multiple times in theaters my day depends on how intense the physically. See if you are experiencing pain is a common ailment that affects around 25 of... Mild level of pain mean different things to different people know if you are of... Your health care provider find the cause of the pain affect how much can! Is too severe to perform basic functions administrative law judge that you have sought to eliminate your will!
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