To raise awareness of both the problems of chronic pain and some of the effective management strategies, the self-help group and health promotion charity, Chronic Pain Australia, organises a National Pain Week which this year is being held 25–31 July.
Chronic pain can be influenced by what is happening in a person’s life at any particular time. Many people have shared stories about how extreme the pain is when dealing with negative situations in life.
Chronic pain affects over 3.6 million Australians and many people live with chronic pain 24/7. It is debilitating, exhausting and has an impact on all parts of a person’s life.
There are a number of things that can be done to help manage chronic pain and finding supportive healthcare professionals is important. Developing a care plan with a GP, which may involve other health professionals such as a community pharmacist, a physiotherapist or clinical psychologist also is important.
Chronic pain is best managed with a multidisciplinary approach that addresses the physical, psychological and environmental or social factors that influence your pain, with several primary health care professionals working with you as a team. As it may include medical interventions and medicines, it is important to talk to your pharmacist who can help in planning a multidisciplinary approach as part of your care plan.
National Pain Week aims to draw attention to the plight of people suffering from chronic pain and, by doing so, reduce the social and other barriers related to living with chronic pain.
