September was a very busy month around the country for those involved in efforts to enhance public awareness about the impact pain can have on a person’s life and to advocate for legislation and policies that will guarantee access to the most effective pain treatment for all who live with pain.

Pain is often called the invisible epidemic.  Millions of people live with pain on an ongoing basis, yet medical schools often don’t teach about pain as an illness or medical problem, instead it is often viewed as a symptom of a disease often leaving the patient to deal with the intractable and disabling pain on their own.

Concentrating programs during September is a good way to highlight the physical and emotional challenges that face people in pain.  It is also an excellent time for everyone to join together in a movement to focus the public’s attention on the need for:

1.  More federally funded research into pain treatment,
2.  Government policies that don’t restrict or inhibit access to the most effective pain treatments by those who are in desperate need for relief, and,
3.  A general enhancement of the public’s outlook on pain and attitude toward those living in pain.

So, now that September is over and many of you have written letters to legislators and policy makers on behalf of good or against negative legislation related to pain, or signed up to participate in the Virtual March, or attended one of the many educational and enhancement building programs in your states, it is time for all of us to commit to keeping the momentum alive by challenging ourselves to identify how we can continue to participate in these efforts the next 11 month of the year. Well, okay, those of you who have been working so hard really should take a few days to take some deep breaths, relax and congratulate yourselves on a job well done.

For those of you who cannot think of how YOU can participate contact the American Pain Foundation at www.painfoundation.org and become a member.  Or contact the APF Action Network Leader in your state, who is also a volunteer, and ask him or her how you can participate; there are many activities that take place year round. Or, you can contact the local organization that is related to whatever illness causes you pain, such as the Ehlers-Danlos National Foundation (www.ednf.org or www.ehlersdanlosnetwork.org ), the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association (www.rsds.org ), or the Multiple Sclerosis Society (www.nationalmssociety.org), to name a few.  All of these organizations have programs that focus attention on their related illnesses and all of us benefit when any positive actions are taken to enhance the treatment of or public awareness about pain and the most effective treatments for pain.

My sincere congratulations to everyone affiliated with the American Pain Foundation and all the other related groups that have worked so hard to help put and keep effective pain treatment on the national agenda.  As one who has lived with pain for over 40 years, I thank you for all you are doing to help all of us who experience the dread, fatigue, incredible pain, in some cases on a daily basis.  I look forward to continuing to work with you in the years to come and to the day when everyone in pain is assured that they will have access to the most effective treatments for their pain.