Resources

For essentially any topic, there is an abundance of information available, especially on the internet. However, this wealth of information includes excellent and useful content as well as inaccurate and sometimes harmful information, and nowhere is this more true than with medicine. The resources we provide here are from content providers we find to be generally reliable, accurate, and helpful.

Of course, if you have any questions about how any of this information affects your specific situation, please discuss the issue with us at your next appointment. No information you may read here or obtain elsewhere should change your use of any medications prescribed or any other regimen of treatment indicated by this office.

• American Academy of Pain Medicine
  The American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) is the medical specialty society representing physicians practicing in the field of pain medicine. As a medical specialty society, the Academy is involved in education, training, advocacy, and research in the specialty of pain medicine. The practice of pain medicine is multi-disciplinary in approach, incorporating modalities from various specialties to ensure the comprehensive evaluation and treatment of the pain patient, including such specialties as anesthesiology, internal medicine, neurology, neurological surgery, orthopedic surgery, physiatry, and psychiatry.
  www.painmed.org

• American Chronic Pain Association
  Since 1980, the ACPA has offered peer support and education in pain management skills to people with pain, family and friends, and health care professionals. The information and tools on our site can help you to better understand your pain and work more effectively with your health care team toward a higher quality of life.
  www.theacpa.org

• American Pain Society
  The American Pain Society is a multidisciplinary community that brings together a diverse group of scientists, clinicians and other professionals to increase the knowledge of pain and transform public policy and clinical practice to reduce pain-related suffering.
  www.ampainsoc.org/

• Institute of Medicine of the National Academies
  
  IOM REPORT published 6/29/11
  Relieving Pain in America:
  A Blueprint for Transforming Prevention, Care, Education, and Research
  

  Chronic pain affects at least 116 million American adults—more than the total affected by heart disease, cancer, and diabetes combined. Pain also costs the nation up to $635 billion each year in medical treatment and lost productivity.
      The 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act required the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to enlist the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in examining pain as a public health problem. Acting through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), HHS asked the IOM to assess the state of the science regarding pain research, care, and education and to make recommendations to advance the field.
  www.iom.edu

• National Pain Foundation
  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 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.
  www.nationalpainfoundation.org

• painACTION
  Developed with grant support from the NIH, painACTION is a free website-based service that "shows you how to:
  •  Manage chronic pain, step-by-step
  •  Learn what works for you
  •  Accomplish your goals
  •  Get the most out of your medical care
  •  Achieve the quality of life you deserve "
  
  There are many great resources here, including personal stories from others dealing with chronic pain, medication safety guidelines, a daily tracking tool to help you and VPS manage your pain more effectively, and much more.
  www.painaction.com

Page Contents