It is important to work with a healthcare professional to find the best treatment plan for you, as each person responds differently to different treatments. There are different types of pain. Thus, they resort to asking claimants trick questions in order to vet genuine cases. I have severe migraines and headaches. People rarely experience severe, mind-stopping, intense pain 24 hours a day. A medical professional will be able to diagnose and treat your pain in the most effective way possible. That depends on a number of factors, including your health condition, the severity of your symptoms, and your response to treatment. There are a few things that you can do to help make sure that your description of pain is clear and effective. 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. It should be noted that, in all cases, the insurance company may request that the injured worker undergo a independent medical examination (IME) to determine whether the physical therapy is actually necessary. Next, be an advocate for them. They have hopes, dreams, and ambitions. Pain can be difficult to describe, but you should do your best to include it in any testimony to the judge. Medical records are very important, and you must have them. This could help him or her determine which questions to ask you during the hearing. Participate in surveys or focus groups: Companies are always looking for consumer feedback on their products or services. Someone born in 1959 is considered to be middle-aged. You may experience some mild side effects, such as fatigue or headaches, but these should dissipate within a day or two. To do this, you must meet the requirements in #1 and #2 listed below. Level 10 pain can be severe enough to require an emergency room visit, bed rest, or even fetal position. Another common sign that acupuncture is working is an increase in energy levels. Sedentary work takes place mostly sitting down, but allows lifting up to 10 pounds, occasionally carrying objects (like files), and walking and/or standing up to two hours per day. Ive been in such pain since 2006. Using a pain scale. -Illness: Various illnesses can cause pain, from the flu to cancer. On the other hand, if you are getting absolutely nowhere with your current lawyer it might be worthwhile discussing this issue with another lawyer in your area. Describe Your Pain Realistically. Does the pill or injections relieve all of the pain or just some of the pain? She has even denied me antibiotics for a severe sinus infection. Alternatively, does it start bad in the morning and continue to worsen until you go to bed? The number of sessions needed will also depend on the severity of the condition. There are two types of disability benefits available through the SSA: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If youre running, its closer to one city block. 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. 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. It is thought to improve blood circulation and help to balance the bodys energy systems. The interviewer will also ask about your medications and other medical tests. All individuals have experienced some degree of pain at some point throughout life. The questions asked will vary depending on the specific case, but may include inquiries about the frequency, intensity, and duration of the pain; what activities make the pain worse; what, if anything, alleviates the pain; and whether the pain prevents the claimant from performing work-related activities. I make adjustments to my schedule throughout the day depending on the intensity of the symptoms which I experience daily on varying levels. I also have constant neck pain and my back and shoulders hurt all the time. Do yourself a favor and start journaling today. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how often someone should have acupuncture. Intellectual disability is defined as significantly reduced intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. This means that someone with an intellectual disability will have difficulty with everyday tasks and may require assistance in order to live independently. Does lying or sitting in a certain way help? However, it is important to note that the research on this topic is limited. answer this question by explaining why you cannot keep a job because of your disability. location of pain I think it is very important to practice describing exactly where you experience pain. Do you experience pain only when your skin is touched or when you try to move. If you are unsure whether or not you should use the term retarded, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid using it altogether. Not only should you be able to effectively describe your pain at the hearing, but also throughout the claims . It is extremely important to be truthful and accurate about the following topics: your daily habits and your disability. he just shrugged. Try to focus on the persons strength, and how the disability has made them a better employee. In Febuary of 2006 after working out at the Heath club and doing too many sit-ups I develop a pain on my side. Your email address will not be published. They also look at what treatment you have sought to eliminate your pain. When it comes to disability, there are a lot of things that can go wrong. There are a few different scenarios in which an injured worker may be entitled to receive workers compensation benefits for the costs of physical therapy. In March of 2006 I fell down some stairs going down 25 steps to the ground. Keeping a journal of your symptoms and pain may be useful. The most important thing about a Social Security disability hearing is to tell the truth. Most lawyers are happy to discuss their fees with potential clients. Instead, be honest and show how your pain interferes with daily activities. So, how do you know if acupuncture is working? Lower back pain has different causes than buttocks and leg pain. There are 5,280 feet in a mile, so 500 ft is just under 1/10 of a mile. One of the most difficult things about having a disability is trying to live a normal life. How would you describe pain to a disability judge? My lawyer wanted me to tell him just 1 medical problem I have. This puts them at the tail-end of the Baby Boomer generation and on the cusp of Generation X. Making money while disabled may require some extra effort and creativity, but it is possible. Do events such as walking result in pain? If youre considering using acupuncture for labor, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider first. So how often should you get acupuncture? Nature of your pain is it throbbing or sharp? You know where it hurts, when it hurts, and the effects it has on your daily life. This stimulation is thought to help encourage labor to start. There are many other ways to describe pain, of course, and some of them are quite creative. The best way to find out how a particular lawyer charges is to ask them directly. 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. How Long After Acupuncture Did Labor Start. Lyme Disease - Written by a disability advocate. I have only met him once and during that visit, he belittled me to the point of me breaking down in tears. You could be eligible for up to $3,345 per month In SSDI Benefits. Some people feel pain differently than others. What does the pain feel like? With a little bit of research and perseverance, you can find ways to make money that work for you. If someone born in 1959 is still alive today, they have probably retired from their career or are close to retirement. 3. Review and Analyze Documents. Elsewhere, you might encounter other rating systems, such as the Defense . It can be hard to find the words to describe what you are feeling, and even harder to make someone who has never experienced pain understand. Pain pounds in my head. Notes jotted down are just fine. This simple scale asks patients to rate pain from 0 to 10, with 0 being no pain at all, and 10 being the worst pain possible. Stayed on the couch w/ice and pain meds. Is the pain aching, shooting or throbbing? The judge will also ask about your medical history. The "right" answers will lend vital credibility to your claim. Conditions that are acute or have been present for a shorter period of time will generally require more frequent treatments. 2. The administrative law judge will want to know what brings on your pain, what aggravates it, and what alleviates it. Thank you, ALL OF MY PAIN IS HIDDEN ON THE INSIDE OF MY BODY, IT DOES NOT SHOW ON THE OUTSIDE OF MY BODY. In addition, do not tell the interviewer that you are living with your spouse if it does not affect your ability to perform your duties. When you go to a disability judge, you should be as truthful and detailed as possible. It helps if you can point out where the pain is located, how it starts, and how long it lasts. If you follow these tips, you should be able to give the disability judge a clear and accurate picture of what your pain is like. The Skolo Blog Writing Tool Will Allow You To Enter A Blog Topic And Keywords And Get In Return A Full Blog That You Can Use Anywhere. Be candid about your strengths as well as about your limitations. Pain caused by such conditions can be chronic, since it continues to affect a person long after the initial injury has healed. Difficulty staying focused on a task / need breaks. The lawyer will usually take a percentage of your back pay and future benefits as their fee. Advocates of acupuncture believe that this stimulates the bodys natural ability to heal itself and can be used to treat a wide variety of physical and mental conditions. Theres no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Although pain is a symptom and we easily recognize it when we experience it, pain is nevertheless hard to describe. Does looking at a computer screen for an extended period of time result in migraine headaches? (*) Ive had chronic pain since and feel my Doctors are no longer listening to me. Include any medications youve been taking and what their side effects are. Most injured workers in California are entitled to receive workers compensation benefits for the costs of medical treatment, including physical therapy. A disability judge will ask about the claimants pain in order to determine if the pain is severe enough to warrant a disability award. 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. For example, in the United States, federal law uses the term mental retardation when referring to people with intellectual disabilities. Seizures are episodes of disturbed brain activity that can cause changes in behavior, sensations, and consciousness. Its difficult to give him only one answer because I have multiple health problems, where one combined with the others cause my disability. Triggers: What events trigger your pain, if any? Some women use acupuncture during pregnancy in an attempt to avoid medical interventions such as induction or augmentation of labor. Your ability to effectively describe your pain to your doctors is also important. Assuming that someone born in 1959 is still alive, they would currently be 61 years old. 4. Paint an accurate picture and the judge is more likely to believe you. Herniated Disc And Sciatica Disability. Finally, consider how long youve been dealing with the pain. To qualify for SSI, you must have a limited income and few resources. It helps to give examples of the pain and rate the intensity on a scale of one to ten. I asked him how am I supposed to pay him if I have no money? "I wake up at 7:00 to make sure the kids have gotten themselves dressed and ready for school. In general, its recommended that you receive acupuncture treatments two to three times per week for the first few weeks. Acupuncture can also help to reduce stress and anxiety levels. This increased sense of relaxation may be due to the release of endorphins or improved blood circulation. Specifically the judge will want to know how long you can stand and sit, how far you can walk, how much you can lift, and so forth. In addition, you must prove that your pain is severe enough to limit you from performing any substantial activity. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Tulip worked with her doctors to create this letter for her disability insurance appeal (private disability). So how far is 500 ft in real-world terms? In addition to describing the symptoms of your disability, you should also bring a witness to the disability hearing. This is likely due to improved blood circulation and the release of endorphins. There are four levels of intellectual disability, mild, moderate, severe, and profound. It depends on how youre moving. To recap, the question was " Describe what you do from the time you wake up until going to bed ". However, if you do not have the answers, you should try to answer the questions as honestly as possible. Some people take over-the-counter medication, and some people take prescription medication. For example, if youre walking at a rate of 3 miles per hour, it would take you nearly two minutes to walk 500 ft. Some lawyers will also advance you the costs of your case, which means that they will front the money for things like medical records and expert witnesses. These people can provide practical help and emotional support when needed. However, younger workers may qualify with fewer credits. 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. If you can, quote your doctor whenever possible. They would also remember when MTV first started playing music videos and would have watched Madonnas Like a Virgin video when it first came out. I will illustrate how my days vary widely and without any warning. Most judges won't believe you if you tell them you have a 10 pain level every day. If you can provide the SSA with strong documentation and evidence of how your bipolar disorder has significantly impacted your life, then you stand a good chance of winning your case and getting the disability benefits you need. Acupuncture is a popular form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of health conditions. ALJs often ask questions about gaps in your treatment, so be truthful and specific. 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. If so, are there side effects. If its severe and/or getting worse, its probably time to seek medical attention. Of course, this is just an average and not everyone will live to this age. There are many different types of medication that can help with pain. My wife, for example, has chronic pain in her chest and hands, and chronic fatigue. 1. Exaggerating Your Symptoms - You should not exaggerate your symptoms. There is no hearing for the SSA, as there is for impeachment. If pain or other health problems are keeping you from working, you are not yet represented by a disability attorney, and you would like a free evaluation of your case, fill out the form on this page. If you take medication for your pain, it is important to follow the directions on the bottle. 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. These are not the only words that can describe your pain, but it is important for you to be able to describe what you feel as you are the only one that knows exactly what you feel. 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. Of course, not all of these will provide an accurate picture of what you experience. 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. We all know the feeling. 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. The only way to survive while waiting for disability approval is to keep a steady stream of cash coming in. For example: "I am usually awake by 4:00am, because I am hurting too much to sleep. The wrong answers will severely damage your case. Seeing a therapist can be very helpful for some people. A level of ten means excruciating pain. There are many other ways to describe someone who is perceived as unintelligent or slow without using offensive language. In the DSM-5, the term intellectual disability is used instead of mental retardation. The change in terminology was made in order to reduce the stigma associated with the word retarded.. (If you can't meet #2, then you must meet #3 to have a valid disability for anxiety claim.) I will also tell you that some lawyers will not accept cases where there has been a previous lawyer because filing a fee petition is time consuming and it delays payment of the fees. There are many different causes of pain, but some of the most common include: -Injuries: When you injure yourself, whether its a small cut or a major surgery, your body responds by sending pain signals to your brain. Acupuncture is said to stimulate the release of endorphins, which are the bodys natural pain-relieving chemicals. How Much Is A Disability Check For Epilepsy. If youre walking, its about the same as two city blocks. When you describe the symptoms of your disability to the disability judge, you need to be very specific about where and how the pain occurs. Difficulty concentrating or thinking. The depth of insertion depends on the individuals body size, the condition being treated, and the location of the points being stimulated. They may have children and grandchildren who are adults themselves. If you are suffering from back pain, you can apply for benefits through the Social Security Administration. I was awake half the night with pain. Is it a sharp pain or a dull ache? Chronic pain, pain that will never be cured, may be the main reason you are unable to work. However, if you are experiencing pain that is severe, persistent, or interfering with your daily activities, it is important to see a doctor. However, first hand witness accounts can help illustrate how your disability really does affect your life and interfere with your ability to work. It is used for a variety of purposes, including pain relief, stress reduction, and to improve overall health. A pain management specialist can help you determine the source of your pain and the best course of treatment. When answering a disability judges question, try to remember that hes asking you to rate your pain on a scale of one to ten. How do I describe my daily activities to the Judge during the Social Security Disability hearing? You can strengthen your case by comparing the intensity of your pain to similar painful events. 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