People with chronic pain have usually seen a family doctor and several other specialists as well. Eventually they are referred to neurologists, orthopedists, or neurosurgeons. The patient/doctor relationship is extremely important in dealing with chronic pain. Both patients and family members should seek out knowledgeable specialists who neither dismiss nor indulge the patient, physicians who understand full well how pain has come to dominate the patient's life and the lives of everyone else in the family.

Contrary to what many people think, pain patients are not malingerers or hypochondriacs. They are men and women of all ages, education, and social background, suffering a wide variety of painful conditions.

People with pain problems may feel isolated, helpless, or hopeless. But many of those who suffer with a pain problem can be helped if they-and their families-understand all the causes of pain, and the many and varied steps that can now be taken to undo what chronic pain has done. As a result of the strides neuroscience has made in tracking down pain in the brain-and in the mind-we can expect more and better treatments in the years to come. The days when patients were told "I'm sorry, but you'll have to learn to live with the pain" will be gone forever.

The following organizations are directly concerned with pain problems. They are excellent sources of additional information, research updates, and specific help and referrals:

American Chronic Pain Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 850
Rocklin, CA 95677-0850
(916) 632-0922
www.theacpa.org

American Council for Headache Education (ACHE)
19 Mantua Rd.
Mt. Royal, NJ 08061
(856) 423-0258
(800) 255-2243
www.achenet.org

National Chronic Pain Outreach Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 274
Millboro, VA 24460
(540) 862-9437

National Headache Foundation
428 W. St. James Place
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 388-6399
(888) 843-2256
www.headaches.org