PainSAFE
NPF's Policy Statement
The National Pain Foundation (NPF) believes that all people in pain deserve full access to the many treatment options available to lessen pain, restore function, promote recovery and improve quality of life.
The need for prompt and effective treatment is clear: of the 76 million people in the United States who currently live with pain, only one in four receives appropriate care. In addition, pain costs the U.S. economy an estimated $100 billion each year in medical claims, disability payments and lost productivity.
Despite the devastating effect pain has on individuals, families, and the nation at large, there are many barriers in place that preclude patients' rights to efficacious treatment. These barriers include:
The National Pain Foundation works to address the many needs of people living with pain through national education, advocacy and support initiatives. The organization also seeks to improve the quality of life for those living with pain through the provision of credible information and education on pain issues and support that connects persons with pain to each other and to those who can help. The National Pain Foundation actively seeks new awareness and partnership initiatives that focus on addressing the most significant needs of this diverse population.
Because practitioners of differing skills and capabilities manage pain, both health care providers and people in pain should be aware of the full spectrum of treatment options available. Effective treatment of pain may involve more than one provider and reflect more than one "pillar" of pain management. The "Five Pillars" of pain management include:
The need for prompt and effective treatment is clear: of the 76 million people in the United States who currently live with pain, only one in four receives appropriate care. In addition, pain costs the U.S. economy an estimated $100 billion each year in medical claims, disability payments and lost productivity.
Despite the devastating effect pain has on individuals, families, and the nation at large, there are many barriers in place that preclude patients' rights to efficacious treatment. These barriers include:
- A lack of specialists trained to treat pain as a disease – an estimated less than one percent of physicians have had any formal training in pain management or medicine
- Serious misconceptions about tolerance, dependence and addiction related to opioid pain medications
- Documented socio-economic-, race-, age- and gender-related obstacles to needed care
- Insurance issues such as the high cost of premiums and restrictions on certain types of treatments and some medications.
The National Pain Foundation works to address the many needs of people living with pain through national education, advocacy and support initiatives. The organization also seeks to improve the quality of life for those living with pain through the provision of credible information and education on pain issues and support that connects persons with pain to each other and to those who can help. The National Pain Foundation actively seeks new awareness and partnership initiatives that focus on addressing the most significant needs of this diverse population.
Because practitioners of differing skills and capabilities manage pain, both health care providers and people in pain should be aware of the full spectrum of treatment options available. Effective treatment of pain may involve more than one provider and reflect more than one "pillar" of pain management. The "Five Pillars" of pain management include:
- Cognitive and behavioral therapy – emotional restoration
- Physical restoration – physical therapy, occupational therapy, physical medicine and rehabilitation
- Pharmacologic pain management – medications
- Interventional pain management – surgery, injections, spinal cord stimulation, intrathecal pumps
- Complementary pain medicine – acupuncture, chiropractic, meditation/relaxation, nutrition, etc.