As you may have heard, the cricketer Michael Clarke has suffered from chronic pain since he was 17 years old.

By successfully managing his pain, he was able to captain Australia for many years.

Chronic pain is a common problem affecting about one in five people, and for many it affects their lives, family, work and financial responsibility.

Pain is complex and involves not just the muscles and bones, but also the nerves and the mind.

Many chronic pain sufferers are told that “nothing can be done” or “you just have to live with it” or that “it is all in the mind”.

This is not true. There have been major scientific breakthroughs in pain research in the last 10 years and pain management treatment has changed.

Medications, surgery, and injections are used less now, although still needed in certain circumstances.

There is now greater emphasis on pain education, balancing physical and medical therapy, and focusing on better ways to manage pain.

Did you know that acute pain (after injury) and chronic pain are not only different, but also managed differently?

While acute pain is relatively simple and only lasts a few days or weeks, chronic pain is more complex and lasts months and years.

Even if the injury seems to have healed and tests are normal, there are changes in the nervous system. This is one of the reasons chronic pain persists.

Chronic pain care is complex. It requires time to explain why pain persists, how underlying mechanisms cause changes in the body, how medications are both helpful and unhelpful and when surgery is indicated.

Counselling is helpful when the pain affects your thoughts and feelings.

Physical wellbeing is an important part of managing pain. When pain affects your life, finances, family and work, there are ways to help. Pain specialist physicians offer information and advice in the above and other treatments.

Understanding your pain helps you live and manage chronic pain. There is a lot of information on the management of pain on the internet.

With so much information, there is also a lot of confusion.

A great place to start for reliable information is the Pain Australia website, www.painaustralia.com.au. On the website in the “For Everyone” tab is a great video, “Understanding Pain”. This takes five minutes to watch and explains chronic pain.

Another resource is books like Manage Your Pain or Explain Pain, available in your local library and some bookstores.

If you suffer from chronic pain, it is again time to speak with your doctor or a pain specialist about the new ways to manage it.

ON behalf of Cancer Council NSW, I would like to thank the entire community of Bathurst and surrounding communities for gathering together, sharing a cuppa and tasty treats, and giving support to those affected by cancer by participating in Cancer Council’s Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea this year.

Over 343 locals, businesses and schools in the Central West region hosted a Biggest Morning Tea during May and June, helping raise over $451,202 across the Western NSW region.

Funds raised from Biggest Morning Teas will allow Cancer Council NSW to continue to fund vital cancer research, prevention programs, advocacy, and information and support services.

This will support the 45,000 people across NSW who will be diagnosed with cancer this year alone.