The U.S. Pain Foundation is thrilled to announce that applications are open for the 3rd Annual Pediatric Pain Warrior Family Summer Camp. This five-day summer camp will take place from June 23 to June 27, 2024, at Morgan’s Camp in San Antonio, Texas. The camp is designed for pediatric pain warriors and their families to come together, connect, and share experiences. During the week, families will participate in a variety of fun camp activities, including equine therapy, ropes courses, swimming, and more! There will also be educational sessions and daily support groups. Our goal is for famili ..read more

WEST HARTFORD, CONN., JANUARY 31, 2024 – A bipartisan bill introduced today in the House seeks to eliminate gaps in chronic pain care and promote treatment and research advancements for the millions of Americans living with pain. The Advancing Research for Chronic Pain Act was introduced by Rep. Yadira Caraveo, MD (D-CO-08) and Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA). The legislation would require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to analyze and publish population health data on chronic pain. More than 51.6 million Americans live with chronic pain, costing more than $600 billion annual ..read more

What would you do if your refuge, a place where you went to be cared for, suddenly became a place where you were dismissed, gaslit, and made to feel worse than when you arrived? If you’re like me, you would choose to leave—but what if you couldn’t? Last year, I developed severe abdominal and chest pain and was advised by an on-call doctor to go to the emergency room immediately. They wanted to rule out a heart attack. I was already dealing with a frozen shoulder, which on its own is incredibly painful. And when you have changes in the brain and how it processes pain due to complex regional ..read more

When I was growing up, excitement was in the air as a snowstorm approached. The wooden slat sleds were retrieved and waxed, as we anticipated the opportunity to slide down those hills. Plans were made on the design of the snowman we would create in the front yard. It was a moment of joy, waiting each winter to have these opportunities outside again. I never once had to think about what these activities would possibly do to my body, despite being born with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). It was the only body I knew, and I had no idea for years that there was something strange going wrong. I a ..read more

Almost 20 years ago, my wife Ellen was diagnosed with a rather rare medical condition called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). Simply put, this condition limits the body’s capacity to produce healthy collagen. Collagen is critical for the production of healthy connective tissue, which is invaluable for normal bodily function. Based on our current knowledge of this condition, no known treatment will cure it. The only approach is to manage symptoms to minimize damage to the body. One of the most common symptoms of EDS is chronic pain, in conjunction with joint instability. My wife Ellen and I we ..read more

When cannabidiol (CBD) became federally legal five years ago as part of the 2018 Farm Bill, advocates say that Congress missed a vital accompanying step: instituting federal regulations surrounding the production of CBD. Although CBD has become a major industry — with $5.31 billion spent in 2021 in the United States — only 16% of CBD products have a label accurately stating their contents. Because there is no regulation, companies are under no obligation to list the ingredients in their products, to accurately portray the presence and amount of cannabinoids, to test for or disclose pesticid ..read more

The world of using CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids as medicine can be a murky and confusing one. This KNOWvember, U.S. Pain Foundation is exploring this topic with our #KNOWmyCannabinoid educational campaign. “The chronic pain community deserves to know about the power of cannabinoids,” said Nick Difrancesco, founder and chief executive officer of PurWell, the platinum sponsor for KNOWvember. “It’s not just about relief; it’s about reclaiming life. With [cannabinoid products] as your allies, you can take control of your pain management journey.” Follow us throughout the month for educatio ..read more

This week, U.S. Pain Foundation welcomes Melissa Geraghty, PsyD (Dr. G), to its team as the organization’s new Director of Mental Health and Support. In this role, Dr. G will oversee and expand U.S. Pain’s Pain Connection peer-to-peer support groups — a wide range of national, location-based, and specialized groups offering understanding and education to all individuals living with chronic pain. She also will serve as a voice to create a greater national understanding of mental health issues related to living with chronic conditions and serious injuries that cause pain — amplifying those is ..read more

The other day, I was in the pool kicking on my back and sculling with my hands on my side, which is all my body can now take on with my fused neck and vulnerable shoulders. Although it is hard to go from a former master swimmer and high school swim coach to this limited movement in the pool, I am thrilled to at least be able to do this much. I am so happy with the improved quality of life I have gained due to this surgery. However, I have to be extremely cautious to remain safe and untouched by others. A simple hug and squeeze causes damage to my body. So when you can’t rotate your neck an ..read more

Stay tuned – copy to come. An unmet need  Copy to come. To learn more about the U.S. Pain Foundation’s Pain Awareness Month initiative, click here.  Our 2023 Pain Awareness Month campaign is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Lilly.  Subscribe to our newsletter Success! First Name Last Name Email Subscribe U.S. Pain Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to serving those who live with conditions that cause chronic pain, as well as their caregivers and care providers. Learn more. Our Sponsors ..read more