As September is observed as Pain Awareness Month, the Karnataka Chapter of the Indian Society for Study of Pain has launched a public campaign urging people to seek specialized care when pain lingers beyond normal healing. The initiative highlights the importance of recognizing chronic pain as a medical condition in its own right.

  • Chronic pain should not be ignored as a normal part of life.
  • Victoria Hospital’s pain clinic has performed over 1,200 advanced procedures since 2023.
  • Public education is key to encouraging timely specialist referrals.

At Victoria Hospital, attached to the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI), more than 1,200 patients have undergone specialized pain‑relieving procedures since the clinic’s launch in June 2023. The department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine has also provided outpatient consultation to over 4,000 patients.

A 42‑year‑old homemaker from Mysuru, months after a healed wrist fracture, continued to experience severe burning pain, swelling and skin discoloration. Despite imaging confirming bone healing, she was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) after referral to pain specialists, and eventually regained function through targeted management.

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The Karnataka Chapter of the Indian Society for Study of Pain (ISSP) has used this month to launch a public awareness campaign that stresses the need for specialized care when pain persists beyond the normal healing period.

Associate Professor Satish Kumar M.N. of BMCRI, treasurer of the Karnataka ISSP chapter, noted that the team has performed over 1,200 advanced interventions and seen more than 4,000 patients in outpatient settings. The clinic now offers radiofrequency ablation, a procedure that interrupts pain signals from affected nerves, previously available only in corporate hospitals.

Consultant Sadasivan S. Iyer of Manipal Hospital, Vice‑President of the Karnataka ISSP chapter, warned that many patients are told to simply live with pain because investigations often fail to reveal a clear cause. He emphasized that persistent pain can be a medical condition requiring specialized evaluation.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that nearly 15 million Indians live with persistent pain, yet many do not receive timely specialist care, leading to significant quality‑of‑life losses. This campaign aims to bridge that gap by raising awareness and promoting proactive treatment.

“Pain management is not just about prescribing stronger analgesics; it involves medication optimisation, physical rehab, psychological support, and minimally invasive procedures.”
Did You Know?: CRPS pain can sometimes radiate far beyond the site of injury, affecting distant parts of the body.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome? It is a condition where the nervous system continues to generate pain signals long after an injury has healed, often leading to severe discomfort.

2. When should I seek a pain specialist? If pain persists for more than three months, recurs repeatedly, interferes with sleep or daily activities, or is accompanied by burning or electric‑shock sensations, consult a specialist promptly.