Alternative Pain Treatment Directory launches free chronic pain webinar series

The Alternative Pain Treatment Directory will host a free four-part webinar series in September for Pain Awareness Month, aiming to highlight drug-free and non-surgical approaches to chronic pain. Founder Cindy Perlin will lead sessions for both patients and healthcare professionals as chronic pain rates remain high in the U.S.

Why it matters: - Chronic pain affects a large share of U.S. adults, and many patients still rely on medications, injections or surgery alone. - The webinar series is meant to widen access to information about non-drug options and help people living with pain find additional treatment strategies. - The series also targets healthcare professionals, which could broaden awareness of alternative approaches in clinical care.

What happened: - The Alternative Pain Treatment Directory is offering a free four-part webinar series called Rethinking Pain Care: Beyond Pills and Procedures in September for Pain Awareness Month. - Cindy Perlin, founder of the Alternative Pain Treatment Directory, will lead the series. - The webinars begin Sept. 9 and will be held Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern time. - The sessions are open to people living with chronic pain and healthcare professionals.

The details: - The series opens Sept. 9 with “Why Chronic Pain Patients Need More Than Pills and Procedures.” - Sept. 16 will focus on “The Root Causes of Chronic Pain That Need to Be Addressed.” - Sept. 23 will cover “Body-Based Pain Treatments: Old and New.” - Sept. 30 will explore “Mind/Body Pain Treatments.” - All four webinars are free to attend. - Advance registration is available here. - The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics reported that 24.3% of U.S. adults had chronic pain in 2023. - The CDC also reported that 8.5% of U.S. adults had high-impact chronic pain that frequently limited life or work activities. - The Alternative Pain Treatment Directory describes itself as an online resource for education on safe and effective pain management. - The organization says its resources include educational articles, videos, a holistic pain-treatment provider directory and recommended natural pain-relief products. - Cindy Perlin is a licensed clinical social worker, author, speaker and chronic pain survivor. - Perlin has more than 30 years of experience helping people improve emotional and physical well-being. - Perlin is available for interviews about chronic pain, non-drug pain treatment options and patient awareness of alternatives to medications and procedures.

Between the lines: - The webinar timing around Pain Awareness Month suggests an effort to use the annual observance to push a broader conversation about chronic pain care. - The focus on root causes, body-based treatments and mind-body approaches signals a more expansive view of pain management than standard pharmaceutical-first care. - The high prevalence figures from the CDC underscore why non-drug options may resonate with patients seeking additional relief.

What's next: - Registration is open now for the September webinar series. - The four sessions will roll out weekly through Sept. 30. - The Alternative Pain Treatment Directory expects the series to provide practical information that participants can use in managing persistent pain. - More information is available on the organization’s website, PainTreatmentDirectory.com.