International Association For The Study Of Pain 12th World Congress - Race Against Pain Launch

Main Category: Pain / Anesthetics
Article Date: 18 Aug 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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The Web-community Race Against Pain will be internationally launched by site sponsor Boston Scientific at the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) 12th World Congress this month at the Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre in Glasgow.

The Race Against Pain lead spokesman, US racing driver and chronic pain sufferer, Michael Roman (40) will also be in attendance at IASP, acting as an ambassador for the programme and assisting the Congress.

The IASP, hosted in the United Kingdom for the first time since 1981, will bring together leading specialists and medical professionals for a series of workshops, seminars and courses to discuss the research and treatment of Chronic Pain.

"With the US success of the Race Against Pain website, it became obvious that the ideas and knowledge from this community could benefit those pain sufferers outside of the States," said Mark McIntyre, Director of Public Affairs and Health Economics, Boston Scientific UK and Ireland.

Race Against Pain website features:

Help - the site offers links to pain specialists, fact sheets and treatment options.
Hope - the site acts as a hub for conversation, support and advice from other patients.
Heroes - the site includes inspiring stories of how people have regained their lives after years of fighting chronic pain.

Michael Roman, who lives with his family in Missouri, USA, suffered from debilitating chronic pain due to a leg amputation.

After struggling with daily life for more than ten years, he found a pain specialist who was knowledgeable on the latest therapies and recommended the Precision™ Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS), which eventually left him pain free.

The small Precision™ SCS neurostimulation device emits electrical pulses that are precisely delivered to selected nerves in order to alter the way in which pain signals are processed. Instead of pain, a gentle tingle is felt. Once able to live a normal lifestyle, Michael committed himself to helping others and formed the Race against Pain website with Boston Scientific.

Gauging pain levels and the true impact on people's lives can be difficult but is vitally important. Research has shown that chronic pain affects 8.5 million people in the UK and costs the economy £18 billion a year in lost work days[1].

Michael hopes the UK launch will motivate patients, create a new community hub and encourage British chronic pain patients to keep fighting.

Notes

Michael Roman

- In 1994 he tore the meniscus in his right knee while playing basketball. He contracted a Staph infection from the first surgery and from January to March of 2005 had a further eight surgeries. The following April he was told he needed an above the knee amputation.

- Mike had 40 surgeries from 1994 to 2005.

- His pain presented as phantom limb.

About Boston Scientific

Boston Scientific is a market leader in minimally invasive technologies whose products are used in a broad range of interventional medical specialties.

Boston Scientific's mission is to improve the quality of patient care and the productivity of health care delivery through the development and advocacy of less-invasive medical devices and procedures. Boston Scientific:

- is the world's largest medical device company dedicated to less-invasive medicine

- employs more than 25,000 people worldwide

- has 26 manufacturing, distribution & technology centers

- is delivering more than 15,000 products in over 45 countries

- has invested nearly $6 billion in new technologies over the past five years

- is enrolling tens of thousands of patients in pre- and post-approval clinical studies

- is contributing more than $25 million annually to research, education and local communities

Boston Scientific