The National Pain Foundation

The NPF Mission

To improve the quality of life for those living with pain through information, education, and support that connects persons with pain to each other and to those that can help.

The Need for The National Pain Foundation

• One in four Americans - 76 million people - live in chronic, debilitating pain. Many have endured years of agony and undergone two or more failed surgeries seeking pain relief.
• Chronic pain accounts for more than 80% of all physician visits and yet the majority of providers have little or no training in pain medicine and management.
• Pain costs the nation an estimated $100 billion a year in medical claims, disability payments and lost productivity.
• Despite the physical and financial toll, millions of people suffer needlessly, unaware of effective pain-management options.

The National Pain Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, was established in 1998 to advance functional recovery of persons in pain through information, education and support. The NPF is built on the belief that early intervention of pain conditions can positively change the direction of a person's life. The organization was created to serve the 76 million Americans living with chronic pain.

The NPF recognizes that pain is real. It is a disease in and of itself that needs to be diagnosed and managed as comprehensively as any other disease. Our goal is to empower patients by helping them become actively involved in the design of their treatment plan, exploring both traditional and complementary approaches to pain management. The guidance and direction provided by its founders and Board of Directors has made the NPF and its web site, www.NationalPainFoundation.org, one of the premier sites providing accurate and reliable information and community support to persons in pain.

The NPF provides a virtual community for pain patients, their families and friends. Through our Web site, information and resources are presented in a way that encourages patients to take an active role in the management of their chronic pain.

All information distributed by the NPF is peer-reviewed by NPF Board members and other professionals who are highly qualified in their respective fields. This means that the information about pain conditions created by the NPF is both up-to-date and accurate.

The Benefits of The NPF

Benefits for Pain Patients and Their Families:

The National Pain Foundation provides an easy-to-use source of information and support for pain patients and their families. Through education, materials and programs, the NPF works to erase the stigma associated with pain and pain treatment. Currently included on the National Pain Foundation Web site and in other NPF materials is information about:

• Pain conditions
• Traditional approaches to pain management, such as medications, injections and surgery
• Complementary approaches to pain management, such as acupuncture, biofeedback, guided imagery, etc.
• The special needs of children in pain
• Physical therapy approaches to pain management
• Psychological factors related to pain
• Resources, including news items and book and video suggestions
• Support, including links to other pain sites and support groups, and an opportunity for pain patients, their families and friends to share experiences related to pain issues and management

Benefits for Health Care Providers:

The NPF will provide health care providers with valuable insights into what pain patients want and need in terms of pain management and treatment options. In addition, the NPF will:

• Make available the latest scientific and peer-reviewed information on pain diagnoses, management and treatment
• Host special forums for health care providers at health-professional conventions and www.NationalPainFoundation.org to share information and findings about pain issues and management
• Provide health care providers with the latest news on issues that affect their pain patients