Let's stand together with our chronic pain and make our voices heard.
Chronic Pain Awareness Month and Why It Matters 2025
Since September is Chronic Pain Awareness Month, I decided to write my first blog post about something I have been living with for over 25 years: chronic pain. Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for more than four months. I am one of the 1 in 4 adults living with chronic pain. [1] It’s importance lies in its invisibility - many of us “look just fine,” as our pain is invisible, yet we are far from ok.
We often mask our pain, fearing disbelief or being labeled as hypochondriacs. People might say, “My back hurts from moving,” or “I injured my knee playing with the kids,” but chronic pain is constant. We’ve adapted to pushing through, masking the real pain because we aren’t always believed.
I've learned to mask my chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and other illnesses. When my daughter began showing signs of chronic pain and chronic fatigue, I was the only one who truly believed her. Living with chronic pain makes it easier to recognize it in others. Chronic Pain Awareness Month is an opportunity for us to share our stories and raise awareness. These experiences not only strengthen us but also affirm to our chronically ill children that they are important and their struggles are valid.
How Does Pain Feel?
Pain can feel like an aching, burning, pinching, stabbing, or pulsating sensation that can fluctuate from a dull annoyance to a severe 10+ on a scale from 1 to 10. My Fibro Coach friends and I often joke that the pain scale for fibromyalgia is way off. When we are at the doctor's or hospital and they ask, "Where would you rate your pain?" If I say my pain is a 10+, they doubt me because I’m walking, talking, and I look fine. That is misleading and frustrating! Just because I’m not whining and complaining doesn’t mean I don’t feel it. I was taught to be strong and keep going by both of my parents. So, when I do talk about my pain, it’s because my pain is really bad! Living with severe chronic pain 24/7 causes a wide range of emotions for each person experiencing it. We all handle it differently.
Pain Statistics
According to the US Pain Foundation, 21% of American adults and estimates range between 11%-38% of American adolescents are affected by chronic pain. [1] Both men and women can experience chronic pain. Pain is the number one reason Americans seek medical treatment. Yet, as of 2018, 96% of US medical schools did not require students to take courses on pain medicine. [2] Yes, you heard that right! Let me emphasize it again: 96% of US medical schools did not require students to take courses on pain medicine. Crazy, right?
Why aren’t we teaching our medical students more about pain? Why aren’t more medical professionals listening to those of us who live with severe chronic pain? Many of us want options beyond pharmaceuticals! We want insurance companies to cover therapies that help our pain, such as pain support groups, health coaches, fibromyalgia coaches, massage therapy, red light therapy, acupuncture, and more. Instead, about 83% of people living with high-impact chronic pain are unable to work. [3]
Advocacy and How You Can Get Involved
Chronic Pain Awareness Month is a pivotal time to educate, advocate, and support those living with chronic pain. By raising awareness and understanding, we can work towards better treatment options and support systems. Over the past seven years, I have been advocating for my daughter, and I realized it was time to advocate for myself as well. In the last four years, my daughter and I have championed causes related to fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, and chronic pain at local, state, and national levels, including with legislators in Washington, D.C.
Last year, my daughter and I took our advocacy to Capitol Hill, standing alongside others who share our struggles. Being surrounded by people who understand your chronic pain creates a powerful sense of community and empowerment. There is no judgment, only solidarity in our shared experiences.
As individuals living with chronic pain, we can make a difference by sharing our journeys and advocating for those who cannot. By voicing what it’s like to live with chronic pain 24/7, we raise awareness and drive change. When my daughter was diagnosed with several chronic illnesses, including chronic pain and chronic fatigue, I recognized the urgency of doing more. Let's stand together with our chronic pain and make our voices heard. Together, we can create real change and improve the lives of those affected by chronic pain.
Action Steps
You don’t need to go to Washington, D.C., to make an impact. Start by supporting a friend or family member with chronic pain. Accompany them to a doctor’s appointment, ask questions, take notes, and learn about their condition. Research ways to help them. Your presence alone can provide immense support, and discussing how you can assist them beforehand can make a big difference.
Resources to Get Involved
- US Pain Foundation: Offers classes and resources for chronic pain advocacy
- Fibromyalgia Association: Also active on Facebook
- Fibromyalgia National Health Organization: Also active on Facebook
- Veteran Voices for Fibromyalgia: Supports veterans in advocacy
Ready To Feel Better?
You don't have to walk this path alone. A Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® combines personal experience with proven tools to help you reduce pain, boost energy, and reclaim your life. If you found this article helpful, just imagine what a one-on-one conversation could do!
Schedule your consultation with a coach today and discover how having someone who truly understands fibromyalgia can make all the difference.
[2] PubMed Central
[3] The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
US Pain 2024 Chronic Pain Fact Sheet
Photos courtesy of Ann Garner
About Ann Garner
Ann has lived with Fibro and chronic pain for 25 years. As a single mom to a neurodivergent teen with Fibro and ME/CFS, she also helps an aging parent. Ann knows the challenges of losing a career and applying for disability. After overcoming an abusive relationship and healing her trauma, she stopped generational trauma. Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, Ann empowers you to find your voice and live your best fibro life with less pain, helping you be the best fibro mom possible.
Photo by Ann Garner
