September is currently celebrated as National Pain Awareness Month in the U.S. This month, various organizations come together to raise awareness about how pain can affect a person’s mental health, as well as its impact on families and communities.

Not only for the average citizen but for medical professionals as well. A recent study has discovered that approximately 50 million adults in the United States are dealing with chronic pain, and 20 million Americans are dealing with high-impact chronic pain that interferes with their ability to work or live their daily lives.

Unfortunately, many of these people are suffering in silence because they cannot obtain the relief they need.

The History of National Pain Awareness Month

This month was originally created in 2002 by the American Chronic Pain Association. They partnered with Partners for Understanding Pain to promote it. The purpose of this month is to educate the public about pain management and to encourage physicians to take their patients’ pain more seriously.

Facts About Pain

Let’s go over some facts about pain that we learned while researching this month. We think the following bullet points are a good starting point for anyone wanting to learn more about pain and pain management.

• The human brain processes pain signals but cannot feel pain. That’s why brain surgery can be performed while the patient is awake.
• A person who has high levels of anxiety will tend to have a lower pain tolerance than someone with a calm demeanor.
• It has been said that redheads require higher dosages of anesthesia during surgery.
• Alcohol and sugar can trigger inflammatory responses that make a person feel more pain.
• Studies have shown that chronic pain over long periods can shrink the brain.
• People suffering from chronic back pain often have brains that are 11% smaller than the average person.
• Pain can be categorized into acute pain, sub-acute pain, and chronic pain.
• Chronic pain can limit mobility, cause appetite changes, reduce energy levels, and cause muscle tightness or fatigue.
• High-impact chronic pain is more prevalent among adults aged 65 and older, but it can occur in any age group.

Observing National Pain Awareness Month

Educating the public about pain and pain management is the primary purpose of National Pain Awareness Month, but that’s not the only way to observe it.

People can also support research into pain management treatments, show support to someone dealing with chronic pain, or even learn about their options if they are dealing with chronic pain. We also encourage everyone to spread the word about this month using the hashtag #NationalPainAwarenessMonth.