The Societal Impact of Pain (SIP) Platform recently announced the launch of its newest resource entitled ‘The Burden of Pain: A Societal Impact of Pain (SIP) Book of Evidence’. Chronic Pain Ireland is delighted to support this initiative and our SIP Representative is CPI Chair Martina Phelan.  The ‘Book of Evidence’ was created for individuals from a non-scientific background (e.g. policymakers and funding organisations) to help gain insights into what pain is, understand different definitions used (e.g. acute pain, neuropathic pain, nociceptive pain), and the debilitating effects pain has on patients and societies.

The document explains distinct types of pain conditions (e.g. headaches, low back pain), how common they are, and treatment approaches. Further, the document explains crucial concepts and challenges in pain field, including pain measurement and assessment, stigma, the importance of acknowledging the personal multidimensional nature of pain that requires an appreciation of the interplay between myriad biological/physical, psychological and sociocultural factors. You can read or download the Book of Evidence here.