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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Details

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

FREE WEBINARS

february: 29, 2012 5PM EST

Chronic Pain Self Management: Past, Present and Future with Dr Patrick McGowan, PhD

february 21, 2pm EST

Out-Thinking Pain: How the Mind can control pain with Dr Catherine Bushnell, PhD.

click here for flyer

participate in new research at ANU

..about factors that influence the experience of people living with chronic pain. Read more

NOI Conference 26-28 April 2012

A conference for all involved in rehabilitation, which rigorously engages the brain and immune system to inform the future of rehabilitation will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Chronic pain is a major target. Read more

New DVD for siblings

A new DVD, Stronger Siblings, developed by Siblings Australia, was launched in Adelaide on November 3rd. Read more

Stigma , fibromyalgia and Chronic pain

Latest publications of research articles

Read a review here by Bianca Monterosso, a young woman who lives with fibromyalgia

Kristen's blog about chronic pain

Kristen lives with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. She is a champion and has started writing a blog which is inspirational! Read more

National Pain Week 2012

July 22nd - 28th 2012

We have started working towards National Pain Week. Read more

10,000 faces of pain

There will also be a call to people in pain to register their name and submit a photo for the "10,000 faces of pain campaign". Read more

Events for National Pain Week

Read more, and to register your expression of interest please email us here

Digital art competition for National Pain Week

Are you an artist? Read more

The Hunter Integrated Pain Service and GP Access

....have collaborated to produce a great short video that explains chronic pain. Check it out - it is affectionately called "Brain Man"