Pain management roadshow at The Forum today

One in three (32%) people in the Norwich area currently experience or have experienced chronic pain in the last year, the new Can You Feel My Pain? survey reveals.

The condition has a devastating impact on local people’s lives, causing depression, isolation and forcing many to take months off work at a time.1A To support these people, along with their friends and family, Norwich will host the Can You Feel My Pain roadshow – run by Pfizer in partnership with local doctors, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Action On Pain. 

Despite the free NHS support available already, (42%) of sufferers in Norwich are not aware there are specialist NHS doctors and clinics who can help them to manage their condition.1B The Can You Feel My Pain? roadshow will be visiting The Forum, Norwich on Monday 13 September and will be providing on-site advice sessions with local doctors and Action on Pain for anyone affected by the condition in Norwich. Information about help available locally will also be on hand.

Results of the Can You Feel My Pain? survey, conducted by ICM, reveal the shocking impact of chronic pain on local people’s lives. Many people’s ability to work is affected, with 43% of people surveyed with chronic pain in Norwich having spent time off work because of their condition.1C Of those, 53% have been off for a month or more.1D This mirrors the picture across the UK, where it is estimated that a quarter of people with chronic pain lose their jobs as a result of their condition. The recent 2010 CBI absence and workplace survey found that back pain, a common form of chronic pain, was the second most common cause of short term sick leave for manual employees in the UK.

Chronic pain also has a devastating impact on individuals and their families. Four in ten (40%) respondents with chronic pain say they find it hard to do basic household chores because of their condition1E. A quarter of those in pain feel depressed1F, while nearly four in ten (38%) feel tired all the time as a result of their pain.1H

Dr Mark Sanders, Consultant in Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital said, “Chronic pain affects 7.8 million people in the UK which is more than those affected by heart disease or diabetes . Being in chronic pain can change people’s quality of life, stop them from working and also affect how people feel and their mood.

“Seeing a doctor or another healthcare professional can help recovery and prevent long-term disability, so I would encourage anyone struggling to manage their pain to visit the Can You Feel My Pain Roadshow for support and information.”

Ian Semmons, Chairman of Action on Pain, and campaign partner said, “Identifying the type of chronic pain I live with – which is pain of the nervous system – enables me to talk about it to my GP and those around me understand what I am going through. Such a big step is a major benefit when dealing with my condition. Being able to properly describe the pain you are in not only helps you get the right diagnosis and treatment – it also ensures that you are taken seriously. The Can You Feel My Pain? initiative sets out to help people achieve this.”

Richard Blackburn, Managing Director at Pfizer UK said, “Pfizer is proud to lead this initiative. The company has a long heritage in the area of pain management, and we strongly believe in the value of helping people recognise and manage their chronic pain. This roadshow gives people a valuable opportunity to speak to an expert about their condition.”

The Norwich Can You Feel My Pain? roadshow is part of a Europe wide campaign aimed at raising awareness of the importance of chronic pain management. The Can You Feel My Pain? campaign invites people to sign a Bill of Rights which highlights five key rights to help improve the lives of people affected by chronic pain; to share chronic pain personal stories, where individuals can capture their experiences about chronic pain; and to share chronic pain inspiring photography, where people can show through photography what their pain feels like on good days and bad days.

Find out more at www.action-on-pain.co.uk and check out the Can You Feel My Pain? Facebook page.

For more information see Notes to Editors.

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Notes to editors:

About the Can You Feel My Pain? Survey and Roadshow The Can You Feel My Pain? telephone survey was conducted by ICM on behalf of Pfizer, and asked questions of 250 adults, across the region of Norwich in August 2010.   The Can You Feel My Pain? Roadshow is visiting 15 locations across the UK including England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The roadshow aims to provide people affected by pain and its co-morbidities with a forum to access information and support.  

Can You Feel My Pain? Health Awareness Campaign In addition to the Roadshow, Pfizer has partnered with chronic pain patient organisations, including Action on Pain, to launch the Can You Feel My Pain? health awareness campaign which aims to further raise awareness of the importance of chronic pain management across the UK and Europe.  The campaign is focused on gaining support from the public and specifically from people affected by chronic pain to help support the launch of a European report which outlines the current management of chronic pain and provides recommendations on how it could be further improved.  The Can You Feel My Pain? campaign has three key components: a Bill of Rights, which highlights five key rights to help improve the lives of people affected by chronic pain, which can be ‘signed’ to show support; chronic pain personal stories, where individuals can capture their experiences about chronic pain; and chronic pain inspiring photography, where people can show through photography what their pain feels like on good days and bad days.   Find out more at www.action-on-pain.co.uk and check out the Can You Feel My Pain? Facebook page.  

Chronic Pain in the UK The wider impact of chronic pain is felt by healthcare systems and the economy, with the condition accounting for 4.6 million GP appointments each year at a cost of £69 million[i] while back pain alone is estimated to cost the UK economy £12.3 billion annually.[ii]   Chronic pain management remains an area where health service improvement is needed, as stated in the 2008 CMO’s report ‘Although we now have effective means of tackling both pain and the consequences of pain, services have not kept up with demand and too many people struggle to cope with their symptoms’.[iii] 

About Pfizer At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to improve health and well-being at every stage of life. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacturing of medicines for people and animals. Our diversified global health care portfolio includes human and animal biologic and small molecule medicines and vaccines, as well as nutritional products and many of the world's best-known consumer products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as the world's leading biopharmaceutical company, we also collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. To learn more about our commitments, please visit us at http://www.pfizer.com

About Pfizer Life www.pfizerlife.co.uk Pfizer life is Pfizer UK’s information to patients and disease awareness programmes and it is a key patient initiative within Pfizer UK. Pfizer life demonstrates that balanced non-promotional healthcare information can be responsibly be delivered by a pharmaceutical company.   This programme has many channels which enable patients to access information, including community-based activities, newsletters and a website. Each channel is interlinked to provide comprehensive, accessible and balanced information on a range of different therapy areas, as well as general healthy living advice on diet and exercise.

About Action on Pain www.action-on-pain.co.uk Action on Pain is a national charity established in 1998 by Ian Semmons, as a result of his own frustration that it took so long to get treatment for his pain. The charity’s vision is that everybody affected by pain shall have early access to effective treatment and support wherever they live; whatever their circumstances; whatever their colour or creed.

Action on Pain's mission to is: 

• develop high-quality networks with partners who are dedicated to enabling people who are affected by pain to enjoy their lives through effective treatment and self-management.
• provide support and advice for those affected by pain.
• raise the profile of pain with national/local governments to ensure that treatment for pain is adequately provided and resourced.