Many Americans suffer from chronic pain. In a 2011 Gallup-Healthways poll, it was reported that more than one-third of Americans older than age 50 have chronic back, neck, leg or knee pain. More than one-fifth of Americans age 40 to 80 suffer from some other type of pain. The poll surveyed more than 350,000 Americans aged 18 and older, asking them if they have a neck, back, knee or leg condition or if they had any other affliction causing recurring pain in the last 12 months. The poll reports that chronic pain seems to increase rapidly after age 25, and the number of those reporting the condition tapers only slightly after age 60.

Hope for Chronic Pain Sufferers

Although many people suffer from chronic pain and do not get much relief from medicine or treatments, there are new technologies that focus on alleviating the suffering. These range from holistic treatments to acupuncture to surgery and electromagnetic stimulation and pumps. All have the same goal: relief.

Here are some methods currently being used:

Blocking -- Using X-rays, physicians inject numbing medication in hopes that it dampens or even stops chronic pain. The injections can be in any location, depending on the type of pain and the body part being afflicted. The nerves sending signals to the area causing the pain are targeted. This technique is not permanent, and a regular regimen of injections may be needed, particularly in cases of cancer.

Radio Waves -- This uses radio frequency ablation as its main source. The physician heats the nerve believed to be causing the pain, in effect short-circuiting the connection. This is usually done with a CT scan. This is a longer-lasting form of treatment that can bring relief for up to a year.