September is Pain Awareness Month and, as a chronic pain management center, iSpine Pain Physicians takes this holiday to heart. However, the Twin Cities-based team recognizes that many Minnesotans may not know of its existence. That’s why their back and shoulder pain specialists have come together and created this list of the top reasons why we should all promote pain awareness.  

3 Reasons Why Pain Awareness Month Is Important

1. Promotes Healing

According the Institute of Medicine of The National Academies, approximately 100 million Americans are currently living with chronic pain. Regardless, iSpine’s chronic pain management team explains, the condition often remains invisible. That’s because pain is a largely sensory experience, rather than a physical manifestation. You could walk down the street later today and pass someone with chronic shoulder pain, for example, and you would never know.

Pain Awareness Month brings the condition to light. It lets those 100 million Americans openly discuss their neck, back or shoulder pain as well as other related struggles. This visibility then lets pain sufferers know they’re not alone, thus putting them one step closer to chronic pain relief.

2. Educates the Public

Pain Awareness Month increases visibility within not only the chronic pain community but also the public as a whole. As mentioned above, many Minnesotans don’t know this annual holiday exists. Likewise, many don’t understand the specifics of chronic pain. They may confuse it with acute pain, for example, or not understand how the condition impacts nearly all aspects of one’s everyday life. But, this month lets individuals teach their loved ones, neighbors, and other community members about their chronic pain. In turn, these discussions promote understanding and empathy.

3. Fosters Solidarity  

With empathy comes solidarity. Pain Awareness Month strengthens community support for chronic pain sufferers, thus making chronic pain relief more accessible. For instance, the added visibility may spur new research efforts that help chronic pain management centers like iSpine further improve their treatment and care.

If you’re one of the 100 million Americans with chronic neck, back or shoulder pain, don’t stay silent. Get the help you need by calling iSpine Pain Physicians at (763) 201-8191 today. For more on the chronic pain management center or their treatment options, visit their website.