Pain Awareness Month

Pain Awareness Month brings together millions of people in America who suffer from chronic pain. In September, specialists, psychologists, and patients join forces to discuss why pain occurs and how to manage it. Pain is one of the most common health issues in the US, yet not everyone is able to cope with it effectively. One of the goals of Pain Awareness Month is to alleviate suffering and promote research aimed at combating pain.

History

Pain Awareness Month was founded in 2001 by organizations coordinated by the American Chronic Pain Association. These organizations united with the goal of educating people about pain to foster better understanding. For this purpose, the Partners for Understanding Pain alliance was formed. In 2002, a dinner was organized to honor the event, and by 2003, the alliance had grown to include more than 30 organizations. In 2004, a special toolkit was prepared for patients with chronic pain and their relatives, and another toolkit focusing on the roles of physicians and pharmacists in pain management was released in 2005.

Why Pain Awareness Month Matters

• Supporting someone with chronic pain helps prevent their isolation and encourages continued engagement in enjoyable activities.
• Chronic pain can lead to sleep disturbances and insomnia.
• Women are statistically more susceptible to experiencing chronic pain than men.
• Diet can significantly impact pain, either exacerbating or alleviating it.
• Sometimes pain can be idiopathic, meaning it has no identifiable cause.

How to Join Pain Awareness Month

Donate to pain research. Volunteer to help those in pain, letting them know they are not alone. Use social media to discuss potential ways and techniques to manage pain, and encourage others to share their stories.

When is Pain Awareness Month in 2024?

Pain Awareness Month is observed on September 1 each year.

Observations