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As September unfolds, we embrace Pain Awareness Month 2025 with a unifying theme: “Our Pain.” Anchored by the hashtag #OurPain, this theme highlights the collective experience of the 1.5 billion people worldwide living with chronic pain. This silent epidemic touches lives across all ages, backgrounds, and communities. From children navigating misunderstood symptoms to seniors enduring silent suffering, from women facing disbelief to those with invisible conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic pain is a shared struggle that binds us. Yet, each person’s pain is as unique as a fingerprint, a truth captured through campaigns like #MyPainIsLike, #iPainPop, and #NERVEmber. Together, we can break the silence and advocate for better care, support, and understanding.
The Silent Epidemic of Chronic Pain
Chronic pain, lasting three months or longer, affects over 50 million Americans and costs the U.S. over $600 billion annually in healthcare and lost productivity. It’s more than physical—it disrupts mental health, relationships, and work. Conditions like fibromyalgia, migraines, and neuropathic pain are often invisible, leading to stigma and isolation. Women, who report chronic pain more frequently, are less likely to be believed, while children (1 in 5 affected) and seniors (35-50% affected) face unique challenges in diagnosis and care.
The theme “Our Pain” invites us to acknowledge this collective burden while honoring the unique ways pain affects each individual’s life. It aligns with the mission of organizations such as the International Pain Foundation (iPain), Veteran Voices for Fibromyalgia (VVFF), and the Fibromyalgia National Health Organization (FNHO), which work tirelessly to raise awareness and improve the lives of those affected.
Proclamations for Pain: A Nationwide Movement in 2025
In 2025, the International Pain Foundation (iPain), Veteran Voices for Fibromyalgia (VVFF), and the Fibromyalgia National Health Organization (FNHO) have achieved a monumental milestone: 42 states have issued proclamations recognizing September 2025 as Pain Awareness Month. These official declarations, secured through dedicated advocacy, validate the experiences of millions living with chronic pain and underscore the need for better access to care, research, and education. Throughout September, iPain, VVFF, and FNHO will share these proclamations on social media, amplifying the #OurPain messages and inspiring communities to take action.
State Proclamations
These 42 state proclamations for 2025 mark a significant step toward legitimizing chronic pain, combating stigma, and advocating for policy changes. iPain, VVFF, and NFA aim to reach all 50 states in future years, ensuring every voice is heard. Follow their social media channels to see each proclamation shared throughout September and join the movement by contacting your local officials to support this cause.#MyPainIsLike, #iPainPop, and #NERVEmber: Unique Fingerprints of PainWhile #OurPain unites us, campaigns like #MyPainIsLike, #iPainPop, and #NERVEmber celebrate individual stories:
- #MyPainIsLike: Share metaphors like “a burning ember in my muscles” or “a heavy fog clouding my mind” to describe your pain, building empathy and reducing stigma.
- #iPainPop: Led by iPain, this campaign uses art, music, and storytelling to foster resilience and community, inviting creative expressions of the pain experience.
- #NERVEmber: Focused on neuropathic pain, it educates about burning or tingling sensations from nerve damage, advocating for specialized care.
These initiatives transform personal struggles into powerful awareness tools, encouraging dialogue and connection.
Why “Our Pain” Matters
“Our Pain” is a call to action for Pain Awareness Month 2025. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Share Your Story: Use #MyPainIsLike to connect with others and validate your experience.
- Join Community Events: Participate in iPain’s #iPainPop activities, like art therapy or virtual meetups, to find support.
- Celebrate Proclamations: Follow iPain, VVFF, and NFA on social media to share the 42 state proclamations and amplify the #OurPain message.
- Advocate for Change: Join these organizations to push for better access to multidisciplinary treatment options.
- Educate Yourself: Learn about pain’s impact on the brain, genetics (e.g., COMT gene), and stress-sleep cycles at www.internationalpain.org.
A Personal Commitment to Pain Advocacy.
As an advocate inspiring other leaders and patients, Barby Ingle, whose legislative successes in Arizona (e.g., SB 1162, HB 2291, HB 2380) demonstrate the power of turning pain into action, I encourage you to join this movement. Barby’s #MyPainIsLike posts, like “#MyPainIsLike a stormy sea, but treatment calmed it,” remind us that hope and healing are possible with support. Graphics by Ken Taylor
This Pain Awareness Month, let’s embrace “Our Pain” as a shared journey. Whether through a tweet, a proclamation, or a community event, your voice can make a difference. Visit www.internationalpain.org for resources, and use #OurPain, #MyPainIsLike, #iPainPop, and #NERVEmber to amplify the message. Together, we can transform the silent epidemic of chronic pain into a powerful movement for awareness, empathy, and change.
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Author: Barby Ingle, International Pain Foundation, Vice-President
Published by International Pain Foundation
