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Managing Pain

Our Research

The Pain Management Research Institute (“PMRI”) is unique in its integration of research, clinical treatment, education and advocacy.  PMRI creates a virtuous circle of continuous learning, management and improvement in practical measures to conquer chronic pain.

Supported by funds raised by the Pain Foundation, PMRI is focused on a range of important initiatives. Your investment will deliver significantly improved outcomes for those affected by chronic pain and broader cost-savings and benefits for the community.

There are three key pillars to this pain management work:

1. Drug Discovery Research

  • Cannabinoids and pain:  focusing on their role in unlearning pain-associated fear
  • Novel targets in the descending pain inhibitory system: in particular the important role of glycine 
  • The impacts of gabapentin-like drugs and their potential harms.
 
2. Digital Interventions to support patients with pain
  • Text messages to provide psychological support for people with pain: who are reducing their reliance on opioids, or coping with pain from rib fractures
  • Digitisation of the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy strategies that are used to teach patients pain self-management.

3. Improving access to care

  • Early identification and intervention in employees at risk of developing chronic pain following non-serious soft tissue injuries in the workplace.
  • Providing community-based care for people who frequently present to emergency departments with chronic pain. 
  • Pain management digital education for primary care providers (medical and allied health) around the country, so that patients have access to better treatment.
  • Pain prevention in accident victims
  • Helping people with chronic pain after cancer treatment to get access to appropriate pain management.

We partner with trusts, foundations, corporates and individuals to drive investment in multi-disciplinary clinical and research work into the management of chronic pain, helping to reduce the significant physical, financial and emotional burdens on the Australian and global communities.