Daily pain a real problem

Chronic pain is defined as daily pain that has been experienced for more than three months. One in five Australian adults live with chronic pain. It is more common among Australians aged over 65 – one in three in that age group live with chronic pain. And up to 80% of residents of aged care facilities live with pain.

Living with constant pain can have an adverse effect on work, sleep, and relationships. People living with pain also experience depression, sleep disturbances and fatigue and it impacts on their ability to participate in work, education and leisure activities. 

In spite of the number of people living with pain, and the deep impact on their lives, up to 80% of people are missing out on treatments that could improve their health and quality of life because of the low awareness of pain and its treatment options. 

The Government are working to try to address this with the launch of a National Action Plan for Pain Management. We are providing funds to train health professionals so they have the most up to date information regarding management of care for people living with pain. 

Our goal is that people living with pain are recognised as a national and public health priority and that they and their carers are empowered with knowledge to understand and manage their pain. We would like to get to the stage where chronic pain can be minimised through prevention and early intervention strategies and people can be supported to participate in work and community. 

If you would like to read more about the plan, visit: www.painaustralia.org.au

If you are living with chronic pain, I would urge you not to suffer in silence, but to talk to your doctor or a health care professional about options to help you.