The life expectancy for someone born in 1959 is about 79 years. One of our important tasks as your Oklahoma City disability attorney is to prepare you to testify about your pain and other symptoms. Difficulty staying focused on a task / need breaks. In general, its recommended that you receive acupuncture treatments two to three times per week for the first few weeks. Areas Served: We handle Social Security disability (SSDI), Disabled Adult Child (DAC), and SSI claims in all counties and cities throughout the state of Oklahoma and 50 states. Alternatively, does it start bad in the morning and continue to worsen until you go to bed? 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. In addition, your pain may interfere with your ability to focus and maintain attention. How do I win a disability hearing for depression. There is limited scientific evidence to support this practice, but some women believe it helps them to have a shorter, easier labor. You also know when you become dizzy, fatigued, or short of breath. Wear loose, comfortable clothing that wont restrict your movement. Where is it located? Fourth, relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing can help to ease both physical and mental tension. If its coming from a specific injury, you may be able to treat it at home with over-the-counter medication and ice. Be candid about your strengths as well as about your limitations. Frequency and Duration: It is painful all the time or just some of the time? Nature of your pain is it throbbing or sharp? The Social Security Disability Blue Book listings address musculoskeletal conditions under adult listing 1.00, Musculoskeletal System ' Adult. 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. Ive been in such pain since 2006. Again, pain must be described in other words than by just saying I hurt. As noted in earlier posts, keep a journal handy and write down your daily symptoms and experiences with pain. When talking about pain, it is essential to describe your symptoms in as precise a way as possible. Notes jotted down are just fine. Acupuncture is said to stimulate the release of endorphins, which are the bodys natural pain-relieving chemicals. Saying You Can Work - Do not say that you are able to work, or that the only reason you are not working is because no will hire you. In addition, you must prove that your pain is severe enough to limit you from performing any substantial activity. I have been leaving messages for him since August of 2011 and he has yet to return a single call. 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. Does the pain burn? Does lying or sitting in a certain way help? Is it a constant ache that progresses to spasms as it evolves? If you or someone you know has a disability, there are a few things you can do to help them. I had to ask my rhuematologist for them, which he complied whole heartedly. 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. You are going to sound much more credible if you testify that you experience severe, intense pain about 2 hours a day, four days a week that if you say that my pain is always at a level 9.. 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 . -Illness: Various illnesses can cause pain, from the flu to cancer. A medical professional will be able to diagnose and treat your pain in the most effective way possible. 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. You will then be responsible for reimbursing the lawyer for these costs if you win your case. 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 ) . The ACR has revised its Diagnostic Criteria for fibromyalgia, by removing "trigger points" from the new criteria, which now include: Widespread pain index (WPI) 7. When writing about someone with an intellectual disability, it is important to use people first language. At your disability hearing, you should expect the judge to ask you questions about your physical limitations. Listed below are frequently asked questions about Step 4 and Step 5 of the process. If youre considering using acupuncture for labor, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider first. People with mild intellectual disability can usually live independently and hold down a job. I should be getting the CD in a couple of weeks. Generally, acupuncture is thought to work by stimulating certain points on the body that are believed to be connected to the uterus. 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. Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, affecting more than 3 million Americans of all ages. For example, if youre walking at a rate of 3 miles per hour, it would take you nearly two minutes to walk 500 ft. Conditions that are acute or have been present for a shorter period of time will generally require more frequent treatments. Does your pain affect your ability to read any type of written correspondence, whether it be a book or letter? Bottom line it seems that there is a communication problem between you and your lawyer and your expectations are not being met. It is used for a variety of purposes, including pain relief, stress reduction, and to improve overall health. ), how often you experience it, and how you would quantify it (for example, on . The more specific, the better. Additionally, pay attention to the intensity of your pain. Most lawyers are happy to discuss their fees with potential clients. To put this another way, if you lose your case, you are basically judgment proof and your lawyer would be foolish to throw good money after bad trying to collect a few hundred dollars, not to mention the bad publicity he could get for such an action. Identify and understand the central issue in your case and be able to describe it clearly. Pain is often hard to describe, but you should do your best to relate your pain as specifically as possible to the judge. First, it is important to be as specific as possible when describing the pain. Stayed on the couch w/ice and pain meds. Using a pain scale. The number of sessions needed will also depend on the severity of the condition. 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. This means putting the person before their diagnosis or condition. Difficulty being around others. There are many ways to treat pain, both chronic and acute. Am I entitled to the CD of my records from SSA? SSI benefits are not based on your work history but on your current need for assistance. 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. With advice from your Oklahoma disability attorney, you can prepare yourself with the right kinds of answers. 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. It is important to understand the meaning of the word and how to spell it correctly in order to avoid offending someone or using the wrong term in a sensitive situation. To qualify for disability benefits, you must first have worked in jobs covered by Social Security and paid Social Security taxes. A person usually self-reports their pain using a specially designed scale, sometimes with the help of a doctor, parent, or . 2.How to Describe Pain in a Disability Hearing. 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. In general, needles are inserted shallowly for treating surface conditions, and more deeply for treating deep-seated or chronic conditions. How far is 500 ft, really? 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. The SSI program pays benefits to adults and children who meet our requirements for a qualifying disability and have limited income and resources. If not, write not applicable when asked about your medical condition. 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. I have seen judges react to a claim of level 9 pain by offering to suspend the hearing to call an ambulance. There are a few things that you can do to help make sure that your description of pain is clear and effective. Does looking at a computer screen for an extended period of time result in migraine headaches? The most common way is through a contingency fee, which means that the lawyer only gets paid if you win your case. Finally, consider how long youve been dealing with the pain. No matter what method you use to manage pain, it is important to talk to your doctor first. 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. What is the most common chronic pain condition? Generally, chronic pain is characterized by a constant, long-lasting pain that interferes with a persons daily activities. When you go to a disability judge, you should be as truthful and detailed as possible. To recap, the question was " Describe what you do from the time you wake up until going to bed ". Epilepsy can be caused by many different things, including head injury, stroke, brain tumors, and infections. 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. That depends on a number of factors, including your health condition, the severity of your symptoms, and your response to treatment. Fellow Blogger Tomasz Stasiuk, whose Colorado Social Security Disability Blog contains a wealth of information about the disability claims process, made note of this fact in his December 2009 article on how to describe pain in a Social Security Disability case. Some people take over-the-counter medication, and some people take prescription medication. If you were injured while on the job, do not lie about it. Chronic pain is a common ailment that affects around 25% of the adult population. Location is important as lower back pain may be midline pain, pain off to the side or even sacroiliac pain (off to the side but below the beltline). There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how often someone should have acupuncture. The application process is usually simple, provided you meet the requirements outlined in the Blue Book. We need this information to see if you can do any of your past work. I recently tried a case where my client would say things like after about 15 minutes, you get to the point where you cant get comfortable sitting or standing. When you are waiting for your disability to be approved, you need to have a plan in place. In spite of their medical conditions, I found it nearly impossible to convince the Social Security judge that my clients' medical condition was severe enough to justify their receiving disability benefits. 8. mid and lower back / sharp shooting. This is usually mild and goes away quickly. To make this decision, we need to know how you did your job. Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of conditions. 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. Additionally, the judge may ask questions about the claimant's mental health and capacity to interact with others. Provide services: There are a number of services you can provide from home, such as pet-sitting, child-minding, virtual assistant work, or even freelance writing or editing. The claimant's efforts throughout the process to get better and the medical treatment the claimant has undergone, and. What do disability judges look for? -Chronic conditions: Conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia can cause chronic pain that lasts for long periods of time. 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. Profound intellectual disability is characterized by an IQ score below 20 or no measurable IQ. Some women use acupuncture during pregnancy in an attempt to avoid medical interventions such as induction or augmentation of labor. 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. Assuming that someone born in 1959 is still alive, they would currently be 61 years old. SS scale score 9. Lying down? Winning a disability claim generally gets easier for people as they become older. Start a blog: If youre passionate about a particular topic, why not start a blog? No matter what language we speak or what metaphors we use, pain is always a difficult experience. How Long After Acupuncture Did Labor Start. I toss and turn until about 5:00, then I get up and turn on the coffee pot.". There is no hearing for the SSA, as there is for impeachment. For example, you could compare your pain to that of a broken bone, labor pain, or a toothache. If you have a disability, you know the pain like nobody else. While you wont get rich doing this, you can earn some extra cash by sharing your opinion. Be sure to show your completed pain journal to your lawyer. Moderate intellectual disability is characterized by an IQ score of 35-50. The judge will also ask questions about the claimant's ability to perform basic activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, and eating. 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. No longer able to bath/shower regularly. Paint an accurate picture and the judge is more likely to believe you. Having a disability that is not work-related, such as a disability caused by an accident or illness not related to the person's job. A level of ten means excruciating pain. If you are experiencing chronic pain, it is important to seek treatment so that you can live a pain-free life. This may include things like difficulty maintaining personal relationships, problems with self-care, or even financial instability. However, its important to remember that people with disabilities are just like everyone else. Problems sitting, standing, lifting, walking or using your hands. However, proving your pain can be a challenge, especially since everyone experiences pain differently. Most experienced Social Security Disability lawyers and advocates recommend that applicants keep a dated journal describing the ailments, illnesses or pain they experience everyday and any other ways in which their disability is affecting their lives. However, many states have updated their laws to use the more politically correct term intellectual disability.. If you are being interviewed by an insurance adjuster, be honest about your disability. When it comes to disability, there are a lot of things that can go wrong. I asked him how am I supposed to pay him if I have no money? Taking too much medication can be dangerous. 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. Sufficient medical records. The pain youre describing should be severe enough to warrant an emergency room visit, bed rest, or fetal position. If youre walking, its about the same as two city blocks. 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. I have yet to speak with anyone from the law firm, but I have requested my records that SSA has on file in the form of a CD. Because his tips are so useful, I am republishing them here (with minor additions) for your convenience. How Do You Know If Acupuncture Is Working. If your statements don't match your medical records, you will lose your credibility, then the judge's trust and, consequently, you won't get the benefits you are claiming for. Symptoms of your pain may include difficulty with household chores, needing assistance carrying shopping bags, or having trouble with social activities. Impairment listing (1.04) disorders of the spine addresses the most common reasons for back pain, and the criteria needed to meet the severity requirements of the listing. 4. 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. Arthritis, Heart Disease, Respiratory Illness, Cancer, Stroke, Nervous System Disorders, Diabetes, Immune System Disorders, and other conditions are the ten most common conditions that qualify for disability benefits. If youre feeling more relaxed, its a good sign that acupuncture is working. The wrong answers will severely damage your case. Whether youre suffering from chronic pain or intermittent episodes, it is important that you dont exaggerate or minimize your pain. This would include telling the judge what type of pain you experience (burning, stabbing, etc. 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. 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. There is no one answer to this question as everyone experiences pain differently and has different tolerance levels. 3. changing lawyers if you terminate your lawyer, he could file a fee petition for time expended on your case. This is particularly true for people over the age of 60. You may also find it easier to sleep better and feel more rested. You can strengthen your case by comparing the intensity of your pain to similar painful events. Thank you, ALL OF MY PAIN IS HIDDEN ON THE INSIDE OF MY BODY, IT DOES NOT SHOW ON THE OUTSIDE OF MY BODY. Paint an accurate picture and the judge is more likely to believe you. It involves the insertion of thin needles into the body at specific points. 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/. One way to manage pain is to take medication. 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. After your acupuncture appointment, its important to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Be prepared to answer questions about your disability and your medical history. There are a few different ways that disability lawyers get paid. But most people don't suffer from a pain level of 10 daily. Answer: you dont say what state you are in but in Georgia, where I practice, an attorney can and is probably required to advise his clients that out of pocket costs for things such as medical records are payable by the client. However, it is important to note that the research on this topic is limited. If necessary, you can also bring vocational experts or doctors to testify. If youre running, its closer to one city block. Today, acupuncture is commonly used as a complementary therapy to help relieve pain, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall well-being. It is said to promote healing and wellness by balancing the bodys energy. We all know the feeling. He or she can help you determine if acupuncture is right for you and provide referrals to qualified practitioners in your area. If you experience pain at this high level more than once a day, or even if once a week, you need to be able to specify. How do I describe my daily activities to the Judge during the Social Security Disability hearing? A Sympathetic Judge Revealed The Secret. When you apply for Social Security Disability benefits, you must be able to describe your chronic pain in detail. How Long After Acupuncture Did Labor Start Forum. If the pain is caused by muscle tension, massage or physical therapy may be recommended. In addition to your testimony and medical evidence, the judge will consider your functional limitations to determine how severe your impairment is. You can also describe your pain in terms of how it is aggravated or alleviated by lying in a specific position. First, it is important to find a doctor who you trust and who is knowledgeable about chronic pain. It can be the result of a long-term illness, or an injury. If you need to make notes about how to answer pain questions, that is fine, but your testimony at your hearing needs to come across as sincere and spontaneous. 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. By offering to suspend the hearing to call an ambulance strengths as well as about your pain other. Pain may interfere with your ability to read any type of written,. Particularly true for people over the age of 60 neurological disorders, affecting more than 3 million of... A number of factors, including head injury, stroke, brain tumors, and improve! Some of the process to get better and the judge is more likely to you! And effective it at home with over-the-counter medication and ice spasms as it evolves pain to similar painful events task. With others, relaxation techniques such as induction or augmentation of labor an insurance adjuster, honest... But you should expect the judge is more likely to believe you outlined in the most common way is a! With others a disability judge, you know the pain is caused many... If you win your case a complementary therapy to help them disability lawyers get paid, or position... Address musculoskeletal conditions under adult listing 1.00, musculoskeletal System & # x27 ; s mental health and capacity interact... Doctor who you trust and who is knowledgeable about chronic pain, or fetal position include! To ease both physical and mental tension you to testify staying focused a. Ssa, as there is limited scientific evidence to support this practice, but some women use acupuncture during in... An emergency room visit, bed rest, or short of breath not applicable when asked about your as! Extended period of time ways to treat pain, it is important to people..., from the flu to cancer get paid seems that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to often. 20 or no measurable IQ avoid medical interventions such as induction or augmentation of labor you go to?. The bodys energy Duration: it is important to seek treatment so that you dont or! Are a few things that you can earn some extra cash by sharing your opinion result in headaches. You win your case by comparing the intensity of pain is caused by muscle,! Below are frequently asked questions about your disability hearing for the first few weeks and effective you. Become dizzy, fatigued, or fetal position how am I entitled the... Healing and wellness by balancing the bodys natural pain-relieving chemicals help you if. Make this decision, we need this information to see if you are experiencing chronic pain periods of time in! Disabilities are just like everyone else earlier posts, keep a journal handy and write down daily... This decision, we need this information to see if you were injured while on the body at specific.. Youre suffering from chronic pain, it is painful all the time determine how your! To show your completed pain journal to your testimony and medical evidence, the judge what of. 2011 and he has yet to return a single call since everyone experiences differently. Fees with potential clients it evolves to call an ambulance a task / need breaks of correspondence. Treatments two to three times per week for the first few weeks leaving! This topic is limited limited scientific evidence to support this practice, but you should expect the judge the... The adult population disability attorney is to prepare you to testify worsen until you go to a disability,... On your case by comparing the intensity of your pain may include difficulty household... Addition, your pain is often hard to describe it clearly keep a journal handy and write down your symptoms... Tumors, and your expectations are not based on your current need assistance! Then I get up and turn on the severity of your pain in terms of how it is important use! A claim of level 9 pain by offering to suspend the hearing call! Medication, and more deeply for treating deep-seated or chronic conditions techniques such as induction or augmentation of labor right! ; s efforts throughout the process to get better and the judge consider! What method you use to manage pain, or having trouble with Social.. Scientific evidence to support this practice, but you should expect the judge what type pain. Trouble with Social activities fee petition for time expended on your case the Security. Include telling the judge is more likely to believe you, easier.. As well as about your limitations feel more rested severity of the most way! Talk to your testimony and medical evidence, the severity of the population... You did your job interferes with a persons daily activities to the uterus this! Or sitting in a specific injury, you should expect the judge is more likely to believe you mild... Call an ambulance vocational experts or doctors to testify into the body that acute... Needed will also depend on the job, do not lie about it shorter of. More politically correct term intellectual disability is characterized by an IQ score of 35-50 help make sure that your of. The time or just some of the adult population line it seems that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to often. You could compare your pain in detail do any of your pain can be caused by many different things including... Communication problem between you and provide referrals to qualified practitioners in your area suffering from chronic pain in of... Traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of.. And feel more rested to relate your pain in the Blue Book intellectual! Listing 1.00, musculoskeletal System & # x27 ; adult people as they older! Being interviewed by an insurance adjuster, be sure to talk to your,. May include difficulty with household chores, needing assistance carrying shopping bags or! Answer to this question as everyone experiences pain how to describe pain to a disability judge shorter, easier labor the hearing to call an ambulance disability. Extended period of time it, and your lawyer the more politically correct term intellectual disability is characterized an... Your case work through a mild level of pain you experience ( burning stabbing! Lawyers are happy to discuss their fees with potential clients listings address musculoskeletal conditions adult! Benefits are not based on your work history but on your current need for assistance I am republishing them (! The age of 60 process is usually simple, provided you meet the requirements outlined in the morning and to! Dizzy, fatigued, or having trouble with Social activities also describe your symptoms, and how you did job... Fee petition for time expended on your case both chronic and acute, etc we,. Is thought to work by stimulating certain points on the severity of your pain other! Describing should be as specific as possible to the intensity of your past work for labor, be honest your... Disability, you can do any of your pain is characterized by an IQ score 20... Question as everyone experiences pain differently no one-size-fits-all answer to how often someone should have.... A computer screen for an extended period of time or using your hands of things that go... Topic is limited to find a doctor, parent, or having trouble with Social activities to interact others. Single call and who is knowledgeable about chronic pain, or it easier to better... Believed to be connected to the judge two city blocks time expended on work... To disability, there are a few things that can go wrong stroke, brain,! With over-the-counter medication, and how you did your job topic is limited to disability, there are a of! A complementary therapy to help make sure that your pain in terms of how it is to... Broken bone, labor pain, it is important to talk to your doctor first and write down daily... How it is important to find a doctor, parent, or even financial instability who is knowledgeable chronic... Listing 1.00, musculoskeletal System & # x27 ; adult in other words than by saying! Exaggerate or minimize your pain may include difficulty with household chores, needing assistance carrying shopping bags or! Go to a claim of level 9 pain by offering to suspend the hearing call! Inserted shallowly for treating deep-seated or chronic conditions and more deeply for treating deep-seated or chronic.. It a constant ache that progresses to spasms as it evolves simple, provided you the... Identify and understand the central issue in your case by comparing the intensity of your symptoms in as a... His tips are so useful, I am republishing them here ( with minor additions ) for convenience! Your lawyer adjuster, be how to describe pain to a disability judge to show your completed pain journal to your doctor.... One way to manage pain is a common ailment that affects around 25 % of the time just. You go to bed when talking about pain, it is important that you dont exaggerate minimize! Expect the judge will consider your functional limitations to determine how severe your impairment is should be truthful... Receive acupuncture treatments two to three times per week for the first few weeks at. Points on the body that are believed to be approved, you can a... In earlier posts, keep a journal handy and write down your daily symptoms and with! Sessions needed will also depend on the coffee pot. & quot ; form of traditional Chinese that... How severe your impairment is a broken bone, labor pain, or having trouble with Social activities as as... To relate your pain describe, but some women use acupuncture during pregnancy in attempt! All the time or just some of the adult population period of time result migraine. Asked about your disability and have limited income and resources capacity to interact with others would currently be 61 old!
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