September is National Pain Awareness Month!
Persistent pain is significantly under-treated and incredibly misunderstood, by many health care professionals, most of the decision makers in Washington, DC, and even by those closest to you — your family members and friends. Now is the time to educate those around you about the significant and far-reaching effects pain has on an individual's life — the effects pain has had on your life. Click here to read about pain awareness activities taking place in September and the ways in which you can be involved in increasing awareness of pain as a serious public health issue.

Chronic Pain and the Family—An Interview with Mark Disorbio, EdD
Like most chronic conditions, persistent pain takes a toll on family members, friends and support systems. However you define family, chronic pain changes the dynamics within the family. Daily routines may change, increasing the demands on other family members and every family member may experience increased stress and feelings of guilt, sadness, fear, anger, and anxiety. Read more about the effects of chronic pain on the family and tips for finding the help your family needs.

Parenting a Child with Chronic Pain
By Brenda C. McClain, MD, DAPBM
It can be difficult caring for a child with daily or recurrent pain. You may ask, "Do I give the problem too little attention?" Do you tell your child that everything will be all right when deep down you have your doubts? Have you stopped routine activities? Are you going from doctor to doctor looking for results? Pediatric pain specialist Dr. Brenda McClain shares answers to the questions she's regularly asked by parents whose child is in pain. Click here to learn more about parenting a child with chronic pain.

Family Matters
By Tracy Zuckerman
Tracy writes, "There is always an emotional component to pain. And how we react and cope with it directly affects the world around us. Chronic pain has tested the endurance of my marriage and put a tremendous strain on my relationships with my family and friends. As people living with chronic pain, our families are living through it with us, even if we are uncertain whether they understand it all." Read more of Tracy's insight into pain's effects on a family.

Healing Steps to Wellness — Acetaminophen
by Michael W. Loes, M.D.
Acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol, is a short-acting, pain-relieving, and fever-reducing agent. Acetaminophen is considered first step pharmacotherapy for controlling the pain of osteoarthritis. Click here to read more about the ways in which this medication reduces pain and the benefits and risks of taking it.