Canada hosts 13th World Congress On Pain

The Canadian Pain Society (CPS) eagerly welcomes leading pain experts from across Canada and around the globe to the 13^th World Congress on Pain in Montreal, Quebec, from August 29 to September 2. Hosted by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), more than 6,000 pain professionals will gather to share their thoughts, research and best treatment practices concerning this throbbing public health issue.

The CPS is Canada's expert voice on pain, representing researchers, physicians, dentists, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, and other clinicians involved with management of pain across the country. Its members are extremely proud to be hosting a Congress of this magnitude. "We are delighted to welcome our colleagues, peers and friends from around the world to the IASP World Congress on Pain and are grateful for the opportunity to host this important Congress in Canada," said Dr. Mary Lynch, president of the Canadian Pain Society.  "We look forward to meeting international scientists, clinicians, educators and people living with pain to share critical scientific advances and best practices within the field of pain management this week."

Plenary sessions and workshops will be held throughout the Congress to discuss pain genes, children's pain and dealing with pain addiction, among other topics. The complete program and list of speakers can be found at http://www.iasp-pain.org.

A recent national survey revealed 85 per cent of Canadian adults have suffered from acute or chronic pain within the last three months.¹ "Pain is still misunderstood and under treated. As a result, Canadians are suffering needless pain that costs the economy as much as heart disease or cancer in lost productivity. We know what needs to be done in Canada to treat pain more effectively but lack the political will to do so," says Dr. Roman Jovey, a past president of the Canadian Pain Society.

Media are invited to learn more about the 13^th World Congress on Pain and speak to some of Canada's leading voices about the issues most important to our country, the serious social and economic burdens associated with pain, and to learn first-hand from a pain sufferer the impact pain can have on daily life.

Immediately following the Congress, the IASP will be holding an International Pain Summit to discuss the crucial aspects of pain management, with a focus on advocacy and assistance for all countries to develop national pain strategies.

"Inadequate management of pain is a major global health care problem. This includes under treatment of acute pain after trauma, surgery or illness, and lack of access to treatment for chronic pain which is now recognized as a disease in its own right. The international Summit has brought together leading scientists, clinicians, people living with pain, policy makers and human rights representatives with the aim of identifying solutions to this growing silent epidemic," says Dr. Lynch.