Pain Awareness Month 2025: From Awareness to Action
September is Pain Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the impact of chronic pain and the importance of advancing understanding and care. This year, AAPM and the AAPM Foundation are highlighting ongoing projects, educational efforts, and collaborations that support this mission.
Spotlight: AAPM Foundation Projects & Initiatives
- Restorative Function Expert Consensus Guideline
We’re launching a consensus-driven guideline focused on neuromodulation technologies such as neurostimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, and brain-computer interfaces—to restore neuromuscular function and relieve pain in conditions like stroke and spinal cord injury. Publication is planned in the Pain Medicine Journal. - Topical Analgesics for Neuropathic Pain Guidelines
AAPM Foundation is developing evidence-based guidance for using topical analgesics in neuropathic pain management, with a future submission to Pain Medicine, and potential CME-wide dissemination. - FDA-Funded Acute Low Back Pain Project
In collaboration with Oregon Health & Science University, AAPM is part of a multi-year (2023–2026) project focused on acute low back pain management. - Educational & Research Impact
The Foundation continues to fund programs covering pain resilience, wellness, and emerging treatments, and supports collaborative research and innovation programs that elevate practice standards in pain care.
AAPM Community Innovation & Advocacy
- Innovation Ecosystem & Challenge
AAPM’s Innovation Ecosystem connects clinicians, entrepreneurs, and scientists to drive breakthroughs. The annual Innovation Challenge (in partnership with MIT Hack Med) encourages virtual-to-real solutions, like AI-powered patient-specific treatment algorithms and hybrid neuromodulation devices. - Hackathon: Hacking Pain
Held alongside PainConnect, this event brings together interdisciplinary teams to develop real-world tools, such as adaptive tracking systems and support apps, to address pain disparities and meet patient needs.
Partner Resources You Can Share
- U.S. Pain Foundation (#ThisIsPain Campaign)
Explore storytelling tools, data briefs, and outreach assets designed to humanize chronic pain and drive public empathy and policy support. - Pain Medicine Journal
AAPM’s official journal, featuring peer-reviewed research, clinical insights, and emerging trends in pain medicine. - American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)
Since 2001, ACPA’s toolkit offers media guides, patient resources, and campaign templates to raise awareness at the grassroots level. - World Patients Alliance
This global, patient-led network amplifies lived experiences, international advocacy, and pain awareness at a global level.
This month, and beyond, we’re not just raising awareness. We’re equipping providers, advancing science, and amplifying patient voices. Thank you for joining us in turning visibility into impact.