70 percent of Americans experienced pain

Nearly 70 percent of Americans say they or a loved one with the pain experienced in the past 30 days, according to a recent study.

The release of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) survey is part of its public education campaign to encourage people with chronic pain to seek help and resources.

Over 76 million Americans live with pain every day, and chronic pain affects more Americans than cancer, diabetes and heart disease combined, according to the group.

"Chronic pain is a public health problem of very serious and unresolved, and many are reluctant to talk to your doctor for fear of the feelings of hopelessness, or simply not knowing how to start the conversation," Dr. Robert I . Danoff, Aria Health System in Philadelphia, said in a news release from the AOA.

"It is important for physicians and their patients must work together to address the problem of pain."

The results of the survey:

* 48 percent of respondents do not believe that appropriate treatment can relieve chronic pain.
* 41 percent believe that pain is a normal part of aging, and 10 percent simply ignore the pain.
* 36 percent would refuse pain reliever recommended by doctors and recommended by the doctor for fear of becoming addicted.
* 34 percent believed that pain medications that cause side effects are worse than the pain itself.
* 31 percent do not talk to a doctor about their pain for fear that they could not afford treatment.
* Only 18 percent would speak to a specialist if you have chronic pain.
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