Pain Management

Pain Management

“Chronic pain is common—but it isn’t sexy.” 

—— Henry McQuay, Professor of Anaesthetics at Oxford University

It is estimated that chronic pain affects at least 10 percent of the world’s population – approximately 60 million people. Additionally, one in ten people develops chronic pain every year worldwide. In some countries and regions, the prevalence of chronic pain is closer to 20-25%. For example, in the United States, according to NHIS data, 50.2 million (20.5%) adults experience chronic pain.

It’s worth noting that chronic pain is not confined to adults. As many as 25% of children and adolescents also report pain. Moreover, as the population ages, the prevalence of chronic pain will further increase.

Chronic pain not only has a serious impact on people’s daily activities, social and working lives and leads to anxiety, insomnia, and depression but also brings a burden to the medical system and economy. Therefore, a good pain management method that meets the increasing needs is of great importance to help build healthier and better communities.

“Chronic disease comes low on the political priority list, and chronic pain just gets forgotten. The burden for the sufferers, their families, and society is substantial and merits better treatment. The mark of a gracious society is how it treats those with the least voice. That chronic pain puts people at the bottom of the pile is precisely why we should be agitating on their behalf for a fairer share of the medical resource cake”. —— Henry McQuay, Professor of Anaesthetics at Oxford University