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 facts about pain that you can share with those around you and learn more about how you can be involved in increasing awareness of pain as a serious public health issue.

My Pain — Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
The Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) area of the NPF website has been significantly updated to help you better understand your condition and educate yourself about your options if you have CRPS. These sections include

• information on diagnosing CRPS;
• updated information on medications;
• information on interventional techniques and surgery, including nerve blocks, nerve decompression, spinal cord stimulation, and intrathecal drug delivery; and
• a new section on pain and spirituality in the "Psychology of Pain" area.

Patience with Pain
By Tracy Zuckerman
Living with chronic pain required a new skill — patience! Patience with treatments, patience with doctors, and patience with my own body as I could not get comfortable whether I tried sitting, standing, laying down, resting, moving, walking or relaxing. I began to realize that my inner competitive edge was what was going to motivate me to do whatever it took to wrestle with the pain. Click here to read more about Tracy's efforts to develop patience with her pain, treatments and herself.

Some Questions and Answers about Workers' Compensation
Workers' compensation is a complicated system and can be frustrating for individuals trying to navigate their way through it. This article offers information about the intent of workers' compensation and what it covers. Learn more about workers' compensation and how to navigate the process.