The Pain Community (a DBA of Women With Pain Coalition)

The Pain Community’s (TPC) overarching goal is to improve the overall health, well-being, and quality of life of people with pain. The Pain “Community” consists of patients, healthcare providers, caregivers and family and friends of those patients, providers and caregivers. TPC provides education and advocacy tools to all website visitors. Free membership provides access to TPC’s Pain College and interactive community. To support an active, energized and diverse community by promoting Comprehensive Integrative Pain Management (CIPM) education, wellness information and advocacy for quality pain care.

TPC is a well-established, web-based organization operated by a diverse team of volunteers representing patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, academics, researchers, and advocates. We believe that our team of volunteer board members reflects diversity of perspective and expertise with years of experience working in, and navigating through, the complexities of pain management.

The team of volunteers, which includes a Board of Directors and Steering Committee, understands the complexity of pain and the many ways it interferes with people's lives. All have years of experience working, and navigating through, the complexities of the pain management system and are knowledgeable about quality resources and useful tools available for people with pan. In addition, the team has experience in working together to encourage, coach, and support people with pain to become empowered and understand that, ultimately, people with pain have the power to effect positive change in themselves, their pain care, and overall health are. TPC strives to help each individual become an advocate for themselves and for others with pain from the local to the international level.

What differentiates TPC from other organizations is that TPC engages all stakeholders in advocating for and supporting Comprehensive Integrative Pain Management (CIPM) . Together we embrace, promote, and educate others about a comprehensive integrative approach to care which is positive, hopeful, and empowering. A caveat: it requires an understanding that there are no quick fixes for pain, particularly when pain becomes chronic. To heal and achieve a new level of wellness takes work by both the person with pain and their health care provider(s).

TPC provides a safe and informed place for everyone – all genders, races and ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, spiritualities, and more – with discussions in chat rooms, blogs, and fact sheets for people with pain, advocates, and professionals. We recognize that our experiences are similar and we encourage empowerment and participation in healthcare choices through education and dialogue. Additionally, healthcare professionals and researchers can find information and perspectives of people with pain. This fosters empathy and opens up opportunities for discussions to facilitate best practice treatments.

TPC shares their key messages to others based on this model of pain management. In addition, TPC is committed to demonstrating transparency about fiscal health and operations. This information is publicly available in the financial transparency section.

In addition to the website, The Pain Community volunteers host weekly telephone support group teleconference calls.

The Pain Community has successfully built a website and continues to add sections for general pain and for disease specific sub-groups.

The Pain Community launched the online Pain College programming in 2017 which is interactive programming to learn about and how to incorporate integrative treatment options into an individual's pain treatment plan.

The Pain Community is looking for ways to partner with Healthcare Provider Professional organizations to develop content that incorporates the patient perspective in professional training programs.