Did you know that September is Pain Awareness Month?

It is important that we raise public awareness around pain, pain management, and all the great work that pain professionals do during the month of September.

Dr. Dominic Hegarty (Clinical Director Pain Relief Ireland) supports the effort to highlight the existence of pain in our community. “Pain is a silent disease that slowly erodes an individual’s personality out if it is not brought under control”. We must all accept that pain is a real entity that is present in our families, in our community and in our workplace. It can have a long-lasting impact both physically and psychologically. For this reason, Pain Relief Ireland is happy to support the IASP campaign to highlight chronic pain.

“Pain is a silent disease that slowly erodes an individual’s personality if it is not brought under control”.

Chronic pain quickly impacts an individual’s quality of life, isolating them from family and friends. Chronic pain also impacts on the workplace and the global economy as well. The European group “Societal Impact of Pain”  reported that productivity in those with chronic pain can be reduced by 20% and typically 40% of individuals with chronic pain earn 50% less than individuals who are not in pain. Absenteeism and early retirement due to chronic pain are very common. This has an impact on everyone either directly or indirectly with higher healthcare costs worldwide.

Productivity in those with chronic pain can be reduced by 20% and typically 40% of individuals with chronic pain earn 50% less...

Dr. Hegarty, prefers to look at the glass as half full. He highlights the fact that we have never had as many options to help individuals with chronic pain. There are more analgesics, more interventional options and with the growing use of technology to control pain we are beginning to make real strides. While these options may not offer 100% pain relief they can make the difference and improve the daily quality of life for an individual. Dr. Hegarty believes that the key aspect of pain management is knowing how and when to use these options to match the needs of every individual.

Most individuals with chronic pain try to hide behind a “happy” face but they may be crumbling inside.

The greatest “tool” we have to help individuals with chronic pain is to listen to them, to try and understand the impact pain is having on their life and to support them in gaining control. Most individuals with chronic pain try to hide behind a “happy” face but they may be crumbling inside. Please become “Pain Aware” this month and support your colleagues, family and friends who may be having a very “blue day today” but are too proud to admit it.

Top 5 facts about chronic pain

• 20% (1 in 5) European’s suffer chronic pain on a daily basis
• Chronic Pain is the number 1 cause of long-term disability in the USA
• 10% of people worldwide, 60 million, are affected by chronic pain
• 66% of individuals with chronic pain report significant sleep disturbance
• 77% of individuals with chronic pain describe being “depressed”

At Pain Relief Ireland, we care about your pain. If you need any more information talk to your GP and ask to be referred to a pain specialist today.