National Pain Week July 25-31, 2016.

Chronic pain is arguably Australia and the world’s fastest growing medical condition. Chronic pain is pain that doesn’t go away when the injury or illness has resolved - and lasts for longer than 3 months. It can be associated with chronic disease or injury eg arthritis, lupus, cancer and even ongoing infection post injury. Many people live with chronic pain that does not have an obvious explanation in the structures of the body. In these situations the nervous system and brain play a key role. Pain that relates to sensitisation of the nervous system can be particularly problematic. It is invisible and can lead to stigma . People living with pain can look good on the outside. When you ask them how they feel on the inside, it’s a different story. The invisibility of chronic pain means that many people suffer in silence. So what can be done about it?

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