A Medtronic Pain Management Resource

Powering Up Pain Awareness

During September, special recognition is given to pain awareness. While an astounding 40 to 75 million people are affected by pain1, it is significantly under treated and often misunderstood. Medtronic is proud to support organizations that are committed to making pain a national health priority. In this issue of the Living Well newsletter you will learn about legislation that focuses on improving access to pain treatments and the efforts of the National Pain Foundation to increase pain awareness. You can do your part to support these efforts by taking time to share with those around you the effect pain has had on your life. Thank you for your interest in the Living Well newsletter. Enjoy this issue.

1. Gureje O, Von Korff M, Simon FE, Gater R. Persistent pain and well-being—a World Health Organization Study in Primary Care. JAMA July 1998;280:147-151.

The National Pain Foundation

The National Pain Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, was established in 1998 to advance functional recovery of individuals 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 an individual’s life. 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. Their 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.2

2. http://www.NationalPainFoundation.org/AboutUs/default.asp. Website accessed 09/09/08.

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