The Virtual March on Washington and the 10,000 Voices Campaign is now LIVE!

September Pain Awareness Month has arrived! Access to timely and appropriate pain care is a national health care crisis that affects millions of Americans. We must act now to create positive change.  Join the Virtual March on Washington and add your voice to the 10,000 Voices campaign! Participate in this dynamic online gathering to stand up for the rights of people with pain by: writing to your legislators, sharing your story and raising awareness about the challenges you or someone you love face in receiving timely and appropriate pain care in America. Let your legislators know how important timely, appropriate pain management is to YOU. Tell your story and add your voice to the Virtual Wall of Voices. Please see our press release here.

Individuals are invited to join the march. Organizations are invited to endorse the march. Join us as we celebrate the opportunity Pain Awareness Month provides to spread the word and have our voices heard.

Fall 2010 Pain Community News - Now Available

The American Pain Foundation (APF), along with other non-profit organizations across the country, has had to reduce spending in light of the current economic climate. In an effort to preserve resources but still provide helpful information and news you can use, we have published two online versions of the Fall 2010 issue of Pain Community News (traditional PDF and an ePub version).

There will be a limited print mailing of the newsletter that will be sent to our Action Network leaders who have Pain Awareness Month activities planned. Limiting the print mailing was a difficult decision, but one that allows us to continue to offer and expand our core support services. We apologize for any inconvenience, but remain dedicated to providing people living with pain and those who care for them with the best information, advocacy and support possible. Thank you for your active involvement with APF.

APF's Position Statement on Access to Pain Care

Pain is a serious and costly public health issue — unfortunately, many barriers exist in our society and culture that place access to pain management out of reach for many Americans. Improving access to pain care is a complex issue and difficult problem, but the American Pain Foundation (APF) believes that the effects of pain on the individual and society can be alleviated or managed with proper medical attention. Early intervention can reduce health care costs, limit disability and dramatically improve the lives of people living with pain and their loved ones. To this end, APF advocates for improved access to effective pain care as a guiding principle and integral part of its mission. People experiencing pain have a basic human right to timely, appropriate and effective treatment of pain. Read our position statement to learn more.

New Webinar - “Maybe It’s Fibro? The Fibro Experience: Perspectives from Peers and Nursing”

The third installment in our “Maybe It’s Fibro?” webinar series took place on August 12th. This one-hour webinar features guest speakers who provide information on fibromyalgia and discuss the chronic widespread pain condition from the perspective of nurses and people living with fibromyalgia. This event was recorded and is available for replay on our website. Watch the replay today!

REMS: The FDA and Pain Medications

What are REMS and what do they have to do with people who live with pain? How can you make a difference in shaping pain policy? Read the latest about how REMS has the potential to affect the lives of millions of people who live with pain and the health care professionals who care for them and visit the new REMS FAQ to learn more.

Pain Research & Practice Update

The 2nd issue of APF’s Pain Research & Practice Update is now available in traditional PDF and ePublication formats! Included are highlights from the February 2010 American Academy of Pain Medicine conference, an expert Q&A about the role of vitamin D in chronic pain, researcher highlights, migraines and stroke, the aches and pains of texting, Tai Chi and acupressure ease pain and much more!
 
We are excited to bring this new resource to people living with pain, caregivers and health care providers who care for them. Promoting sound research is key to improving pain care in America. We hope this newsletter will spark interest and dialogue about pain research and the need for increased funding.

New! Spotlight on Back Pain

Of all the different types of aches and pains people experience, back pain is the most common. A majority of us will experience back pain at some point in our lives. The American Pain Foundation has created a practical online guide to educate you about back pain and arm you with information to talk with your health care providers about prevention and treatment. As with other pain conditions, it can take time and patience to find answers, but these articles, worksheets and tips offer information to help you advocate for quality symptom management. If you or a loved one suffers with back pain, take some time to learn self-care strategies that can help you get well and build a stronger, healthier back to prevent future problems. Read our online guide now>>

APF Mourns the Passing of Respected Colleague Peter J. Vicente, PhD, ABPP

Peter J. Vicente, PhD, ABPP, a long-time supporter of the American Pain Foundation, passed away in June 2010. Dr. Vicente served as the medical editor of the Pain Monitor, APF’s monthly electronic newsletter since its launch in January 2003. In 2008, he was recognized as a leader who made profound accomplishments in advancing the care of people with pain when he was awarded the APF Presidential Medal of Honor. Please read more about Dr. Vicente's contributions to the field of pain management.

Fibromyalgia Awareness Project Launches in Missouri

In an effort to raise awareness about fibromyalgia, an often misdiagnosed, musculoskeletal pain condition that affects up to six million Americans, the American Pain Foundation is piloting the Is Fibro the Cause? project in Missouri. We are working with community and state-based alliance groups and fibro advocates to disseminate our new Is Fibro the Cause? toolkit. Not only does the toolkit include helpful tips and resources on how to recognize fibromyalgia’s signs and symptoms, but also provides a worksheet to help track symptoms and facilitate communication with your health care provider. Learn more about the project and our collaborators.

APF Survey Shows Need for Education and Awareness about After-Shingles Pain

The results of an American Pain Foundation survey on postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) indicate that the majority of people with shingles are not aware of the possibility of developing PHN, also known as after-shingles pain. After-shingles pain is one of the most common causes of pain-related suicide in older Americans. To raise awareness about this painful condition that affects approximately one in five people who have had shingles, APF has partnered with the Patchwork of Hope Network, an educational campaign led by the National Council on Aging. Learn more about the survey and resources available on shingles and PHN.

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