Pain Awareness Month - Take advantage of Pain Awareness Month by getting a medical checkup. Let’s learn more!

Pain Awareness Month 2024 – September 2024

National Pain Awareness Month is observed in September every year. Pain professionals and activists from all around the country get together to raise awareness about problems connected to chronic pain during this month. Chronic pain directly impacts millions of people in the United States.Pain Awareness Month aims to make the public aware of how prevalent general pain is, educate them on how to deal with pain, and collect funding for research into the causes and treatment of various forms of pain. Pain sufferers are joining together to enhance therapy and alleviate the agony they are experiencing.

History of Pain Awareness Month

Pain Awareness Month was established in 2001 by a consortium of organizations coordinated by the American Chronic Pain Association (A.C.P.A.). These organizations, which included the American Cancer Society and N.A.A.C.P., came together under the auspices of the ‘Partners for Understanding Pain initiative.’ A launch lunch for the alliance was hosted by the American College of Physicians in 2002 during the International Association for the Study of Pain Conference. By 2003, the Partners for Understanding Pain had grown to include more than 30 member organizations. U.S. Representative Mike Rogers delivered a keynote address during the 2004 conference in Washington, D.C.Additionally, the A.C.P.A. and Partners for Understanding Pain released their first toolkit in 2004, which was developed in collaboration with organizations such as the American Association of Rehabilitation Nurses, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the American Nurses Association, the American Society of Perianesthesia Nurses, and the American Society of Pain Management Nurses. Another toolkit, this one highlighting the role of pharmacists in pain management, was made available in 2005. When the A.C.P.A. and its partners issued three tool kits in 2006, one for nurses, one for pharmacists, and one for older individuals, they were hailed as a success.After a decade of successful monthly observances, the A.C.P.A. decided to take a more grassroots approach in 2007, collaborating with local facilitators to raise awareness through the media about the causes of pain and to eradicate the stigma attached to seeking medical care.

Pain Awareness Month timeline

2001
Pain Awareness Month Established

A consortium of organizations coordinated by the American Chronic Pain Association establishes Pain Awareness Month.

2004
A.C.P.A. Ithe First Toolkit

A.C.P.A., together with Partners for Understanding Pain, release their first toolkit.

2005
The Second Toolkit

A.C.P.A. issues another toolkit highlighting the role of pharmacists in pain management.

2007
A.C.P.A. Launches Campaign

A.C.P.A. decides to take a more grassroots approach collaborating with local facilitators to raise awareness through the media about the causes of pain

Pain Awareness Month FAQs

What causes chronic pain?

Chronic pain is often the result of an initial injury, such as muscular strain. Chronic pain arises due to nerve injury, which intensifies and prolongs the agony.

When does pain become chronic?

Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for three months or more, and in certain circumstances, the neural system remains hyperactive after the original injury or sickness has healed.

Is it normal to hurt every day?

Aches may also result from daily activities, particularly if you sit, walk, or exercise for extended periods. You may only need rest and home therapy to alleviate your bodily pains. However, some pains, particularly those that persist over an extended period, may indicate the presence of an underlying ailment.

How to Observe Pain Awareness Month

  1. Volunteer

    This simple act communicates that, although chronic pain sufferers may not seem physically unwell, they deserve the same level of care as those suffering from chronic bodily diseases. Take some time out to volunteer today.

  2. Advocate

    Discuss what Pain Awareness Month means to you with your friends and relatives and urge them to share your stories with your friends and family. Even sharing one story could help a sufferer.

  3. Collaborate

    If you belong to a support group or know other individuals who suffer from chronic pain, you may organize a gathering to promote awareness. Because pain impacts so many individuals, there are several groups and organizations to whom you may reach out.

Why We Love

  1. Chronic pain can cause isolation

    Individuals suffering from chronic pain are not unusual to experience emotions of loneliness and their discomfort may prevent them from engaging in social events or doing things they like.

  2. Chronic pain can cause insomnia

    Chronic pain often has a negative impact on people's sleep and may lead to insomnia in certain situations, making it virtually hard to obtain a decent night's sleep.

  3. More women than men suffer

    Chronic pain affects more women than men.

  4. Diet can alleviate or worsen chronic pain.

    Some individuals have discovered that the meals and beverages they consume daily may help or hurt their chronic pain.

  5. Chronic pain doesn’t have a clear cause

    Although there are many possible causes of chronic pain, it's also crucial to highlight that chronic pain sometimes does not have a clear cause.

Why Pain Awareness Month is Important

  1. It helps raise funds

    Pain awareness month helps collect funds for research in pain treatment and management techniques. See what you can do to help on this day, be it donating or volunteering.

  2. It helps raise awareness

    Pain awareness month helps raise awareness of the importance of healthy living and medical checkouts. Make sure your loved ones get checked out regularly.

  3. It helps encourage those affected

    When more individuals come out about chronic pain, people who suffer from it realize they are not alone and that a whole community understands and supports them. Half the burden is the stigma and isolation.

Pain Awareness Month dates

Year Date Day
2023 September 1 Friday
2024 September 1 Sunday
2025 September 1 Monday
2026 September 1 Tuesday
2027 September 1 Wednesday
American Chess Day
National No Rhyme Nor Reason Day
National Pet Rock Day
World Letter Writing Day
Wattle Day
Chicken Boy Day
Building and Code Staff Appreciation Day
Ginger Cat Appreciation Day
Pink Cadillac Day
Slovakia Constitution Day
National Acne Positivity Day
Cherry Popover Day
National Child Identity Theft Awareness Day
National Tofu Day
Ancestors' Day
Uzbekistan Independence Day
Emma M Nutt Day
National Little Black Dress Day
National Monterey County Fair Day
Jungkook's Birthday
Barry Gibb's Birthday
Dr. Phil's Birthday
Zendaya's Birthday
Chanel West Coast's Birthday
National Waffle Week
Legacy Week
National Crime Prevention Week
National Chicken Month
National Cholesterol Education Month
​National Papaya Month
National Peripheral Artery Disease Awareness Month
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Awareness Month
​World Alzheimer's Month
​Intergeneration Month
​Self Improvement Month
National Honey Month
Better Breakfast Month
Liptember Month
​Sexual Health Month
Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
​Animal Pain Awareness Month
​Baby Safety Month
Attendance Awareness Month
Footy Colors Day
Bourbon Heritage Month
Blood Cancer Awareness Month
National Preparedness Month
National Sickle Cell Awareness Month
Classical Music Month
Irish Heart Month
Responsible Dog Ownership Month
National ITP Awareness Month
Seed Gathering Season
World Animal Remembrance Month
Pain Awareness Month
Vascular Disease Awareness Month
Disaster Preparedness Month
Healthy Aging Month
National Save a Tiger Month
Reye's Syndrome Awareness Month
Organic September
Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month
Save Your Photos Month
Ontario Garlic Week
National Yoga Awareness Month
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
Pet Sitter Education Month
Urology Awareness Month
National Velociraptor Awareness Month
Newborn Screening Awareness Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
Bear Necessities Month
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
National Service Dog Month
Oddfellows Friendship Month
National Recovery Month
Festival of Learning Have a Go Month
Rule of Law Month
National Organic Month
Happy Cat Month
Sports Eye Safety Month
National Food Safety Education Month
National Pet Insurance Month
Sourdough September
National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month
National Guide Dog Month
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Civil Service Month
World Fun Fair Month
National Condiment Month
Global Company Culture Month
National Pediculosis Prevention Month/Head Lice Prevention Month
World Candle Month
National Sewing Month
National Suicide Prevention Month
Hispanic Heritage Month