September is Pain Awareness Month, a four-week campaign in which various organizations raise their voice in unison to bring public attention to the effect that pain has on millions of individuals worldwide. In that spirit, Omega Health & Wellness is joining this month’s public awareness campaign and will be sharing resources to help those suffering from pain get the help they need and make positive changes in their lives. 

Around the world, millions of individuals fight an invisible battle against acute and chronic pain. 

Over 100 million Americans suffer from pain, together with many more millions across the globe. According to the Institute of Medicine, at least 100 million adults in the U.S. suffer from chronic pain. Additionally, the National Center for Biotechnology Information reports that chronic pain affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined.

Because of the increasing endemic state of pain in the U.S. the need for driving awareness has never been greater. Keep reading for a brief history of Pain Awareness Month, how to get involved and more information about a free tool to help you understand and manage your own pain. 

History of Pain Awareness Month

The inaugural Pain Awareness Month was held in 2001 when the American Chronic Pain Association and a number of organizations across the country joined together to create a nationwide campaign. A key element of the effort was to establish September as Pain Awareness Month. 

As part of the movement, a new organization called Partners For Understanding Pain was created. Since, Pain Awareness Month has grown into a national grassroots effort to raise awareness through mass media, public forums, and other sources so that chronic pain can be better recognized, understood and treated, without stigma. 

How you can get involved  

What can you do to bring awareness to Pain Awareness Month? The key to raising awareness is to get involved. There are many things that you can do to help promote Pain Awareness Month.

1) If you are dealing with pervasive pain, this month provides an open door to talk with friends, family and even your health provider. Reaching out to those in your network allows you to be heard, better cope, and feel supported. 

2) Call your local government and community leaders to let them know about Pain Awareness Month and issues of pain and pain management. By bringing the issue to the forefront of decision-makers’ minds, your guide and embolden them to do their part in creating positive change, through public policy and other avenues to benefit those with chronic pain. 

3) Donate to non-profits working year-round to raise awareness and support for those with chronic pain, like the American Chronic Pain Association.

4) Take care of yourself or a family member! Take time out for yourself this month or check in with someone you know who is battling chronic pain.

5) Share on Social Media. Are you active on social media? Spread the word about pain online on your own through posts and by sharing resources from trusted pain awareness advocates. Your action and encouragement through social media can be vastly influential in helping someone you know who may be dealing with their own pain. 

A free resource – “Explain Your Pain”

At Omega Health & Wellness, we are dedicated to helping others feel and live better. Oftentimes the first step is the most challenging-especially for those suffering from chronic pain. As a pain care leader in Jacksonville, FL we recognize that and have worked to create a pain assessment resource, just for you. 

Introducing “Explain Your Pain” a free self assessment for identifying, understanding and tracking chronic pain. 

This assessment guide is an easy-to-use tool to measure and track pain over time and even monitor the success of pain management therapies. Getting started is easy and can be done anywhere. Download your copy today! 

Once completed, you can bring this checklist with you to our office as a tool to assess your pain and work together to find relief.

Have questions on how to receive your copy of the “Explain Your Pain” guide? Are you experiencing pain and looking for additional guidance or resources? Omega Health & Wellness’ professional pain management team can is here to help. Call us at +1 904-724-5767. Our staff can help answer your questions, guide you to resources and even help schedule your appointment with us as soon as the next business day. 

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