National Pain Awareness Month

Understand chronic pain during National Pain Awareness Month! Over 50 million Americans live with chronic pain. Raising awareness improves treatment access and reduces stigma around pain management.

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National Pain Awareness Month - Understand chronic pain during National Pain Awareness Month! Over 50 million Americans live with chronic pain. Raising awareness improves treatment access and reduces stigma around pain management.

About National Pain Awareness Month

Understand chronic pain during National Pain Awareness Month! Over 50 million Americans live with chronic pain. Raising awareness improves treatment access and reduces stigma around pain management.

History & origins

National Pain Awareness Month is observed each September in the United States to spotlight chronic pain, pain research, and better access to care. Its exact origin is not clearly tied to a single founder or formal proclamation, but it has been promoted for years by U.S. health agencies and pain-focused organizations as a month-long awareness effort. By the mid-2010s, NIH materials were already treating September as Pain Awareness Month and linking it to national efforts like the National Pain Strategy.

Why it matters

National Pain Awareness Month matters because chronic pain affects tens of millions of U.S. adults and can disrupt work, sleep, mobility, and mental health. The observance also helps reduce stigma around pain management, including the need for individualized treatment, rehabilitation, and non-opioid options when appropriate.

How to celebrate

Learn about chronic pain conditions. Support those living with pain. Advocate for pain treatment access. Share pain management resources. Reduce pain stigma.

Facts

Over 50 million US adults have chronic pain
Chronic pain costs over $600 billion annually
Many effective pain management strategies exist
Chronic pain affects mental and physical health
Multidisciplinary approaches work best

Frequently asked questions

When is National Pain Awareness Month in 2026?

National Pain Awareness Month runs throughout September 2026. The observance begins on September 1, 2026, and continues through September 30, 2026.

What is National Pain Awareness Month?

It is a September observance focused on chronic pain awareness, education, and support for people living with pain. The goal is to improve understanding of pain conditions and encourage better pain management access.

Who started National Pain Awareness Month?

The origin is unclear, and there is no widely documented single founder. It appears to have developed as a U.S. awareness observance supported by health agencies and pain advocacy groups rather than as a formal holiday with one official creator.

How do you celebrate National Pain Awareness Month?

You can celebrate by learning about chronic pain, sharing reliable pain-management resources, and supporting people who live with pain. Advocacy for better treatment access and less stigma is also a meaningful way to participate.

Is National Pain Awareness Month the same as National Pain Awareness Day?

No, National Pain Awareness Month is a month-long observance, while a day would be a single-date event. The month gives more time to focus on chronic pain education, treatment options, and support.

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