A shocking 90% of calls to Arthritis Care's helpline in the last 12 months have been cries for help over pain - so this year, the charity is marking its awareness week by urging doctors, nurses and allied health professionals to support people with arthritis in making a special challenge to pain and the constraints it imposes on their lives.
Pain is the chief reason people give for visiting their GP - and arthritis and musculoskeletal disorders are the commonest cause of that pain. That's why the charity has chosen 'Take control of pain' as the theme for this year's Arthritis Care Awareness Week, and is also calling for more investment in vital pain management services across the country.
Arthritis Care's chief executive Neil Betteridge said: "Most people with chronic pain have some form of arthritis, and when you are stuck with debilitating pain year in, year out, you may be unaware of new developments in treatment - some available on prescription, but many that don't require a doctor's signature. We want to remind people that something can always be done, and that if you can take control of your pain, you really can reclaim great tracts of your life.
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