National Pain Organizations Unite for PAINWeek(TM) 2007

MONTCLAIR, N.J., April 3 /PRNewswire/ — The National Stroke Association (NSA), the American Headache Society (AHA), and the National Fibromyalgia Research Association (NFRA) have announced their organizational participation for PAINWeek 2007. They have joined the American Society of Pain Educators (ASPE), Western Pain Society (WPS), Pain Society of Oregon (PSO), Trigeminal Neuralgia Association (TNA), Nevada Psychiatric Association (NPA), and the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM) for the PAINWeek conference that will take place at Red Rock Casino, Resort, and Spa in Las Vegas, September 6-9, 2007.

“The National Fibromyalgia Research Association believes it can best serve the 6 to 10 million Americans who suffer with fibromyalgia by informing medical professionals about fibromyalgia. Through PAINWeek we have the opportunity to provide information about the most recent fibromyalgia treatments and research to medical professionals who believe that treating pain is one of the most important things they can do to improve the quality of life for their patients. It is a wonderful opportunity to meet our mission of public and medical education and awareness,” said Shanda Shribbs, activist and spokesperson for the NFRA.

PAINWeek 2007 provides a unique and powerful environment for the participating organizations to share their expertise with frontline practitioners. As Alana Greca, Director of Patient Support, Trigeminal Neuralgia Association, stated, “too few practitioners have an expertise in differential diagnosis; some patients with facial pain suffer up to seven years without a diagnosis. Additionally, many endure unnecessary dental procedures, advancement of their disorder, and psychosocial issues because of mismanaged or inadequate care. These are just a few of the reasons why it is so important for frontline clinicians to be educated about facial pain and the reason we are participating in PAINWeek.”

The prevalence of chronic pain has increased almost 40% in the last decade among the U.S. workforce. While pain touches the lives of all people, it severely compromises those who are already grappling with a serious condition or illness. “Musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain are common complications after stroke. Preventing and treating pain in stroke survivors will help to maximize function and improve quality of life,” said Richard D. Zorowitz, MD, Chair of the National Stroke Association’s Rehabilitation and Recovery Advisory Board.

PAINWeek 2007 offers more than 60 sessions presented by the participating organizations. The four-day conference offers the following course concentrations: Practicum in Pain Management, Pain Educators Forum, Fundamentals in Pain Management, and Office-Based Opioid Treatment (OBOT), along with a Behavioral Track. Fundamentals in Pain Management has been developed specifically to help clinicians from California and Oregon meet their state mandates for pain management and end-of-life continuing medical education.

Programs available for commercial support include Satellite Symposia, Special Interest Sessions, and Pain Assemblies such as an Osteoarthritis Assembly, a Fibromyalgia Assembly, a Neuropathic Pain Assembly, and a Chronic Pain Assembly. Each Assembly comprises a minimum of 4 CE/CME hours. Poster sessions will also be available as well, with a call for abstracts coming in April. Further information can be retrieved at http://www.painweek.org/.

PAINWeek is primarily intended for frontline clinicians such as physicians, nursing professionals, physician assistants, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists, and podiatrists.

PAINWeek 2007

PAINWeek 2007 is a national conference during September Pain Awareness Month, providing knowledge and tools for the frontline practitioner who treats patients in pain. The conference will convene at the Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa in Las Vegas, September 6-9, 2007. The mix of plenary and breakout sessions will provide patient and practice management strategies for practitioners in the primary care setting.

“The idea of PAINWeek is to have multiple organizations come together to help address the need for pain education in the primary care setting,” said B. Eliot Cole, MD, MPA, Executive Director of the American Society of Pain Educators. Both pain-focused and non-pain-focused physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and physician assistant organizations are welcome to participate.

“Through jointly partnering on select sessions or by running specific educational tracks, each organization can play a part in improving pain management through education,” Dr. Cole said. “If patients are to receive the pain management they deserve, all primary care providers need skills in pain care. PAINWeek brings quality education on pain to the grassroots level, where most patients seek care,” concluded Bill H. McCarberg, MD, President of the Western Pain Society.

Organizations and corporations interested in partnership or sponsorship opportunities regarding PAINWeek 2007 are asked to contact Steve Porada at sp@mededucators.com or visit http://www.painweek.org/. PAINWeek is jointly sponsored by Aventine HealthSciences and Medical Education Collaborative. Aventine HealthSciences, a medical communications company focused on neuroscience and pain, is the designated management company for PAINWeek.

Aventine HealthSciences; Medical Education Collaborative

CONTACT: Debra Weiner, +1-973-233-4459, dw@mededucators.com, or RedzaIbrahim, +1-973-679-4485, ri@mededucators.com, both of AventineHealthSciences

Web site: http://www.aventinehealth.com/http://www.painweek.org/