Pain seems a simple thing. It hurts. Pain is not only an unpleasant sensation, it disrupts the lives of many people. Today, though, relief from pain is more readily available than is generally realised. All anaesthetists are committed to improving community understanding of pain and what can be done about it today - now.

Anaesthetists deliver pain relief to people of all ages, not only for sugery but in many other circumstances where quality of life can be improved by pain management.

What is Pain?

Modern medical knowledge shows that, regardless of the cause, the way we experience pain is actually very complex.

For example, in cases of virtually identical injuries, the way pain is experienced, and it's effects, can differ widely from person to person.

Today, though, much more can be done to relieve pain, provide greater comfort, and help many pain sufferers to regain a normal lifestyle.

New techniques and regimes for managing pain revolve around the skills of the anaesthetist, working closely with a range of other health care specialists.

What Pain Causes?

Pain causes much more than just hurt.

There may be suffering beyond the hurt, especially if pain is on-going: lifestyle may be eroded.

Many are unable to work, there can be mental and physical deterioration, relationships can be weakened, families may experience disruption and individuals and families can run into financial difficulties because of income loss, and/or the cost of surgery, medication, on-going treatment and, for many, litigation.

Pain may even create unhelpful beliefs and thoughts in the mind of a sufferer - perceptions of helplessness, for example, which in turn may lead to despair.

What can be done?

The first step is to seek medical attention for on-going pain.
Often it is possible to resolve the problem.

Sometimes, the pain may need specialist medical treatment, perhaps surgery.

However, in many cases where the pain cannot be resolved, and suffering and d

isability continue, there are techniques and tools which can help people to live and work with their pain.

The Role of the Anaesthetist

Anaesthetists are at the forefront of acute pain services such as pain management during and after surgery. They are trained to choose techniques that best suit the particular surgery and each individual patient's needs.

Anaesthetists provide safe pain control during child-birth.

And so, they help parents to better cope with - and enjoy - the birth experience.

Today, teams of medical specialists, including anaesthetists, are providing a better quality of life, and work, for many suffering from long term severe pain caused by cancer or other conditions such as low back pain.

The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists trains specialists in advanced knowledge and skills to manage pain.

Anaesthetists agree that anyone who suffers pain, from whatever cause, has the right to the best relief that is medically possible.

Long Term Severe Pain

Anaesthetists working with other key specialists are now establishing multidisciplinary pain centres in Australia and New Zealand.

Using newly developed pain assessment and treatment techniques, these multidisciplinary teams are delivering improved lifestyles for large numbers of people presently suffering on-going severe pain.

The benefits are significant.

Beyond the personal and social gains, the cost of pain to the community is reduced.

Those successfully treated no longer need welfare support, need much less medication, and cease consuming medical and surgical resources.

Pain need not automatically rule anyone's life - ask the qualified people how they can help YOU.

Reproduction of all or part of the contents of this brochure in any form is permitted on the condition that any such copy includes the copyright notice and disclaimer of liability appearing on this copy. The contents of the brochure are the sole and exclusive copyright of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists Inc. The permission to recopy contained herein does not allow for incorporation of material or any part of it in any work or publication.

The ASA makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding the completeness of the information in this brochure, nor does the ASA warrant the suitability of this information for any particular purpose. The information in this brochure is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals, direct their behaviour, or replace their independant clincal judgement in the delivery of health care. If you have a concern about your health, contact a health care professional for assistance.