IT is estimated that chronic pain may affect as many as one in 14 of the adult population. If you are someone who experiences pain daily, or you know someone that does, Action On Pain, a campaign that aims to improve your quality of life, may be able to help you.

It is run by the Patients Association, and aims to raise awareness of the plight of this significantly large but unheard group of people who suffer silently, and encourage people to seek better management of their pain.

In addition, Action On Pain puts pressure on the government to prioritise pain management, giving this 'Cinderella' area the resources that it desperately needs.

Pain can be treated and the techniques for managing chronic pain have improved considerably in recent years. However, it remains an area neglected by the NHS, in spite of the major negative impact living with chronic pain has on the quality of people's lives and the clear financial burden to the state.

Write to Patients Association, PO Box 5333, Syston, Leicester LE7 2ZU for a free copy of our booklets (please send a first class stamp and your address).

For further information regarding pain management, call the PainLine now on 0116 269 5568. It is manned by volunteers from 11am-4pm Monday to Friday. Callers can leave a message outside these hours.

CLAIRE RAYNER, President, Patients Association.

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