by Christopher N. Kleps, Esq.

A recent Wall-Street Journal article reported on emerging research into the genetic and neurobiological explanations for why some patients experience longer bouts of pain than other patients, despite experiencing the same injury.  The research also hopes to assist in identifying which patients need more treatments and which patients simply need time to heal.

The article cautioned scientists are a long way off from being able to predict whether an individual patient would or would not experience chronic pain from an injury.  However, using brain scans, scientists have identified several biological explanations for why some patients experience pain for longer periods of time than others.  Their research in the field shows several non-biological factors can also play a role in the self-perception of pain.

Knowledge of these risk factors gives employers and insurers the potential to identify those employees whose chronic complaints of pain are, or are not legitimate. For example, individuals who fear pain more and insulate themselves from the risk of pain, are likely to feel more pain from a particular stimulus.  High anxiety and panic can also contribute to chronic pain problems, and an employer’s general knowledge of the employee’s mental status may assist by helping them to identify high risk claims at the onset and moving to return those employees to work as soon as feasible.