September is Pain Awareness month. Organizations, as well as communities all around the country are sponsoring relevant promotional events and activities. What needs to be promoted, you might ask?
It's true that people, practitioners and legislators are slowly waking up to the fact that chronic pain is real - albeit invisible. Just the same, many feel the progress is too way too slow. The American Chronic Pain Association lists several areas that, in particular, need attention. If you live with chronic neck or back pain, chances are one or more of the following items are important to you:
- Pain management training for health care providers.
- Addressing prescribers' fear of regulatory scrutiny
- Straightening out misconceptions regarding addiction/abuse of pain medications
- Removing institutional barriers, because such barriers contribute to a dearth of dedicated pain management teams
- Lifting regulatory restrictions on prescribing controlled substances
The goal of Pain Awareness month is to get the word out so that things can change. Here is my Pain Awareness message:
It's difficult on those in pain when people who are not in pain control the rules for feeling better. Unless, of course those in control take true responsibility for the fact that they are the pain free one in that relationship. They can do so by listening carefully and thoroughly to their patients, family members, friends, co-workers, employees and/or constituents, and taking what they say seriously.
What's your message for Pain Awareness month? Leave your comment below.
