National Pain Week is an annual initiative for Chronic Pain Australia. It aims at promoting the latest research and information to the wider community. This year is aimed at the theme ‘let’s manage pain together’ aiming to reduce the isolation often felt with chronic pain. It is a great way to bring health care professionals, sufferers, families and friends together to share their experiences and discuss treatment options.
Chronic pain is referred to as pain that doesn’t go away after an injury or illness and that lasts at least 3 months. There are different types of chronic pain. These include nerve pain, pain from bones, muscles and joint pain as well as cancer pain. Chronic pain can range from mild to severe. Chronic pain can have significant impact on a person’s ability to work, form relationships and live an ordinary life. It often has serious detrimental effects on sufferers’ mental health. More than half of Australian adults with chronic pain become anxious or depressed because of their pain so it is important to treat this if it happens.
