Chronic Pain Australia

Neuropathic pain

When people in pain describe their pain as feeling like "electric shocks" it is about damage or dysfunction in the nerves [photo by Oliver Wales]

Myth: If the doctor can’t find anything wrong medically with a patient with chronic pain, it must be "in their head.” Maybe they’re crazy.

Fact: Chronic pain is not “in your head.” It is a legitimate medical condition that can and should be treated. Unfortunately, the exact cause of chronic pain cannot always be found. Pain is a complex personal experience, and not all doctors have received adequate training to treat it.

Myth: People in pain who take powerful opiate ("narcotic") pain medication become drug addicts.

Fact: Opiates are highly effective for many types of pain and can be given safely. Physical dependence from pain relievers is different from addiction.

You're not crazy

Chronic pain is a complex interaction between nervous, endocrine and immune system processes that are not easy to pick up with normal medical tests.

Myth: people who are taking pain medicine for chronic pain don't need extra after an operation

It is a common experience of people living with pain that they are denied pain relief after surgery. This is due to inadequate understanding of chronic pain by many health professionals [photo by Oliver Wales]

Fact: One in three Australians report chronic pain

Research conducted in Australia in 2010 shows that chronic pain prevalence has increased. This figure has been corroborated in both USA and Europe recently

Fact: the nervous system cannot distinguish between a real and imagined experience

When you are in pain it is helpful to visualise being somewhere you love being - it changes your pain chemistry

Fact: being connected to loved ones is helpful in managing pain

Maintaining friendships and relationships with loved ones is important for people in pain, it reduces inflammatory chemicals in the blood that make pain worse

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Hello, you have found us and probably wondering 'who are these people and what are they all about?' Read about us here

Supporting Knowledgeable and Empowered rural communities.

Visit the Chronic Pain Australia
2 minute video facts

Kimberley learns how to manage pain

Dr Caroline West provides a GP's perspective on helping people in pain

Dee learns how to change her brain

Go here to see other videos

* Men and Chronic Pain

* The anti-inflammatory lifestyle

* Central Nervous system sensitisation and pain

* The epidemic of chronic pain in Australia. David, Kimberley, Geoff and Sarah share their experiences

Join our forum!

We have revamped our online members forum - check it out by logging in or creating an account with us. If you have any problems creating an account, please contact us by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Relaxation helps people in pain. Try this 16 minute exercise

Understanding pain in 5 minutes

The Hunter Integrated Pain Service and GP Access have collaborated to produce a great short video that explains chronic pain especially in the absence of a medical explanation . Check it out - it is affectionately called "Brain Man". Although the causes of pain may differ, learning about how to manage pain is fairly consistent whether your pain is caused by arthritis, lupus or cancer for example.