Virtual March on Washington
September  2010, This September the American Pain Foundation needs YOU to add your voice to the Virtual March on Washington and the 10,000 Voices Campaign. This online gathering will offer many ways to get involved, communicate with your legislators and have your voice heard. You can sign up for the Virtual March NOW and spread the word! The 10,000 Voices Campaign provides an opportunity to illustrate the magnitude of improper pain management and its impact on people’s lives. more info

Free Seminar Series on Fibromyalgia and CFS: Asyra Testing
September 8, 2010, 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. Guest Speaker: Suzanne Robinson discusses Bioenergetic Testing, a noninvasive, body/cellular energetic reading that can help detect all types of regulatory imbalances. Since many illnesses have no early recognizable symptoms, this absolutely painless procedure can perform over 3,500 tests by taking energy readings of the body. The tests can be used to check for: Hormonal Evaluation, Emotional Stressors, Circulatory Disturbances, Nutritional Assessment, Weight Loss Evaluation, Food Sensitivity Profile, Environmental Sensitivity, Metabolic Disturbances, Digestive Maladies and more. Active Forever. In 2010, Active Forever, The Fibromyalgia Treatment, Center of California and Stetson Chiropractic Clinic invite you to join us for a series of free seminars focusing on help for Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome sufferers.

The third seminar will take place at:
Active Forever
10799 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ
www.ActiveForever.com
Questions: Call 489-948-4955

Sponsored by The Fibromyalgia Treatment Center of California, a Non-Profit research center, and Stetson Chiropractic Clinic. Dr. Kenneth F. Muhich, D.C. Stetson Chiropractic Clinic, 8300 N. Hayden Road, Suite A-109, Scottsdale, AZ 85258, Phone: 480-948-4955

Sickel Cell Disease: Understanding Pain Management and Iron Overload
September 8, 2010, On Demand Health Activist Webinar, Cleveland Clinic Online Health Chat: Osteoporosis & Vertebral Fractures, Osteoporosis affects millions of people each year. Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones where bone density is decreased and leads to a higher risk of fractures. Fractures can result in chronic pain which reduces mobility. more info

Pain Connection Virginia Support Group Meeting
September 8, 2010 1:30-3 pm, Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine, 6829 Elm St., Suite 300, McLean, VA  22101, Group Leader: Jodi Brayton LCSW, 703-532-4892

Gentle Movement Seminar
September 8, 2010 2-3:30pm, Locust Grove Methodist Church, 303 Chestnut Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877, Group Leader: Kim Thompson, 301-275-0880

Pain Connection Prince George’s County Support Group Meeting
September 8, 2010 1:30-3pm, Rexford Place, 9885 Greenbelt Road, Lanham, MD , Group Leader: Gwenn Herman, LCSW-C, DCSW, 301-231-0008

Pain Week 2010
September 8 – 11, 2010, Las Vegas, NV,  PAINWeek is the national pain conference for front line clinicians. The collective goal and vision of PAINWeek is to disseminate knowledge and tools to front line clinicians who are faced with treating the majority of patients in pain. PAINWeek is the only national pain conference that has been developed to meet the educational needs of physicians, nursing professionals, physician assistants, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists, and podiatrists. PAINWeek offers a diverse curriculum and multidisciplinary faculty who will present courses in the following areas: addiction, complementary & alternative medicine, geriatrics, health coaching, hypnosis, medical/legal, narcoterrorism, neurology, pain & chemical dependency, palliative care, pediatrics, pharmacology, physical medicine & rehabilitation, primary care, regional pain syndromes, and Rheumatology. 100+ hours of continuing medical education will be presented by experts from 12 medical and patient advocacy organizations. There is only one national pain conference for front line clinicians, and it is PAINWeek!
More info: http://www.painweek.org

3rd Annual Philly Bike/Walk/Roll for Pain Relief
September 11, 2010, 9:00 am Start Time; Along the Schuylkill River Trail, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
New this year is a route for walkers and wheelchair participants, in addition to bike riders. Proceeds benefit RSDSA. For a registration form, please contact Sarah Whitman at copewithpain@gmail.com.

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness week
September 13-19, 2010 more info about this project and events @ http://invisibleillnessweek.com

3rd Annual Women In Pain Conference: Gender Matters
September 17, 2010, Raising the Curtain on Pain, Los Angeles, CA

The Truth about Pain Management: Treating the Chronic Pain Patient with a History of Addiction
September 17, 2010 from 9:00am to 2:15pm, at The Jewish Council of Aging/Nonprofit Village, 12320 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, MD 20852, Presentations by: Howard Heit, M.D., Assistant Clinical Professor at Georgetown University and Jack Killen, M.D., Deputy Director NIH National Center for Alternative Medicine. more inf: 301-231-0008

“Future Directions in Research on Complementary and Alternative Medicine”

• The appropriate use of medications to treat people with chronic pain and addictions.
• The latest research on treating chronic pain with Complementary Alternative Medicine.
• Pain is a serious and costly public health issue affecting more than 76 million Americans and costing more than $100 billion each year.

Biofeedback Seminar
September 20, 2010 1-2:30pm, 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1309, Bethesda, MD. 20814, Reservation is required, Group Leader: Michael Sitar, Ph.D.. 301-718-3588

Pain Connection Howard County Support Group Meeting
September 20, 2010 1-2:30pm, Medical Pavilion at Howard County, 10710 Charter Drive, Suite 100, Columbia, MD 21044, Group Leader: Mary French, LCSW-C, 301-873-3959

Pain Connection Towson/Baltimore Support Group Meeting
September 21, 2010 11:30 1pm, Bykota Senior Center, 611 Central Avenue, Towson, MD 21204
Group Leader: Paula Scheye, LCPC, 410-925-8911

American Academy of Pain Management
September 21 – 24, 2010, healthcare professionals, Las Vegas, NV

Sickle Cell Disease Association of America 38th Annual Convention
September 21-24, 2010, Washington DC

American Association of Integrative Medicine - 2010 National Conference
September 22 - 24, 2010, Orlando, FL The American Association of Integrative Medicine recognizes that health is more than the absence of disease and that a multidisciplinary approach to medicine provides the maximum therapeutic benefit. AAIM’s advocacy for broader treatment options facilitates a bond between integrative and Western medicine. The end result is a gathering place for healers, educators, and researchers from all specialties to compare notes and combine forces, benefiting both the patient and the healthcare provider. More info: http://www.aaimedicine.com/conference

American Society for Pain Management Nursing
September 22-25, 2010, Minneapolis, MN

5th Annual Florida Pain Summit
September 24, 2010, Orlando, FL, The Florida Pain Initiative (FPI) is an organization that is dedicated to improving the life quality of individuals suffering from chronic pain. The FPI serves as a statewide resource for Florida residents and is actively involved in the promotion of pain relief by education, clinical practice and patient advocacy. Through efforts in outreach as well as initiation and support of legislative action we hope to have a positive impact on the lives of people with chronic pain. More info: www.floridapain.org

2nd Annual Pain and Palliative Care Conference: Challenges of Caring for the Chronically Ill
September 24, 2010, Grand Rapids, MI, As more of our patients live with chronic illness, we find there are so many aspects of care that effect our patient's overall well-being.  This course will provide physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, social workers and others that touch the lives of these patients with valuable information that can help us provide excellent care to this complex population. More info

The Important Role of Clinical Trials
September 24, 2010, Free Teleconference

Houston’s New Hope for Fibromyalgia: Research Updates Symposium
Saturday, September 25. FMAH will bring two renowned physician researchers to Houston. Andrew Holman, M.D. and Patrick Wood, M.D., will serve as keynote speakers at the Fibromyalgia Association of Houston’s New Hope for Fibromyalgia: Research Updates Symposium at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Houston River Oaks, 2712 Southwest Freeway (Kirby exit) in Houston, Texas 77098. The registration fee is $35 per attendee, which includes admission to the symposium and a hot lunch. Contact e-mail: info@fmah.org

Pain Connection 2010 Speaker Series
September 27, 2010, 1:15-2:45pm, Guest Speaker: Geronima Cortese-Jimenez, RN, Reiki Master,   Topic: "Developing Your Personal Wellness Program", Location: Holiday Park Senior Center 3950 Ferrara

INvisible Project
Two events this Fall: September 30,  in New York City & October 21, 2010 in Connecticut. The goal of the INvisible Project is to create chronic pain awareness through photographs of chronic pain survivors. Through visual images, the INvisible Project will show the determination and strength of those living with pain. All proceeds from the INvisible Project will help those living with pain. Recognizing that pain is a national healthcare crisis that must be addressed, CT Pain Foundation is planning its inaugural chronic pain awareness event. INvisible Project showcases the day-to-day experiences of eleven chronic pain survivors in a photo journalistic style. Following each person for one day, photographer Syd London captures and highlights the struggles, triumphs and resilient spirit of the eleven pain survivors. In order to represent the pain community accurately, various chronic pain disorders such as Arthritis, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Diabetic Pain, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Juvenile Arthritis, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, and various other pain diseases will be featured. more info

2010 Race Against Pain: 5K Trail Run/Walk
October 2, 2010; Challenge Grove Park, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, This 5K trail run/walk through the scenic Croft Farm Trail at Camden County's Challenge Grove Park is being held to raise support to help in the fight against chronic pain. Each pre-registered participant will receive a T-shirt, and post-race refreshments will be available. more info

Carolinas Center for Hospice & End of Life Care 34th Annual Conference
October 3-6, 2010, Myrtle Beach, SC

18th International Congress on Palliative Care
October 5-8, 2010, Montréal, Canada, A unique opportunity to meet, share experiences and exchange ideas with colleagues from 50 countries, representing all disciplines - nurses, physicians, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, music therapists, pharmacists, pastoral care persons, administrators, volunteers, psychologists. Practical, in-depth workshops and seminars on a broad range of topics covering all aspects of end-of-life care, from the most current scientific developments in pain and symptom control to the large existential questions, to hands-on experiential sessions addressing practical issues faced every day.
More Info: http://www.palliativecare.ca/en/index.html

The Invisible Disabilities Advocate 2010 Honor Awards Banquet and Auction!
 October 10, 2010 (10-10-10), DON'T MISS our 2010 Honor Awards Banquet and Auction!
*Inspiration *Encouragement *Understanding *Fun *Tell Your Loved Ones *Invite Your Facebook Friends
*Share with Support Groups and Doctors!  GUEST SPEAKER: Ed Hearn, Former Professional Baseball Player, Speaker and Author who has been living with Invisible Disabilities! MC: Mark McIntosh, Athletic and Television Personality, Speaker and Author who has experienced loss and injury. 10 AMAZING AWARD WINNERS making a difference in their communities. Silent and Live Auction and More! We hope to see you there! If you can't make it, please help spread the word by telling your friends!  Contact The Invisible Disabilities Association for more info @ www.InvisibleDisabilities.org

Shop for CRPS at Macy's Shop for a Cause Day
October 16, 2010, Buy something at Macy's and get a 25% discount on one item and 10%-20% off all your other items. (Some restrictions apply and are listed on the ticket.) The $5 ticket also allows you to enter for a Chance to Win a $500 Gift Card to Macy's. This is a fundraiser everyone can participate in and donate at the same time. Contact Sue Pinkham, Tel: 781-771-2095 or suepinkham@comcast.net

American Society of Anesthesiologists
October 16 – 20, 2010, healthcare professionals, San Diego, CA

Alliance of State Pain Initiatives 21st Annual Meeting: A Decade of Change
October 21-23, 2010, Atlanta, GA, The 21st Annual Meeting of the Alliance of State Pain Initiatives, which is being held October 21-23, 2010 at the InterContinental Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia.  This unique, interdisciplinary national forum brings together leaders involved in efforts to address the diverse challenges that impede effective pain control.  The 2010 meeting focuses on a decade of pain care, looking back and moving forward and is designed to highlight the actions essential to overcoming the organizational, societal, regulatory, attitudinal, and clinical barriers that contribute to the under treatment of pain.  Participants will be able to share resources and expertise, network with one another, and gain the knowledge and motivation to develop and implement programs to improve the care of persons in pain.
More info: http://aspi.wisc.edu/newsletter/index.htm#aug6

2nd Annual RSD Awareness Dance,
October 23, 2010 Awareness Dance in Louisiana- we are planing an awareness dance to raise awareness, education, research. This is a dance but also a place where you can come and listen to music and meet others with the condition, friends and family can enjoy themselves. All donation are tax deductible. Contact Kim Gaudet  504 712 6928

Breathing In, Breathing Out: Inspiration for Holistic Care - Capital Hospice
12th Annual Josefina Magno Conference
November 2-3, 2010, Springfield, VA, In support of the Capital Hospice mission to improve care for those facing life-limiting illness through direct support of patients and families, public education and public advocacy, Capital Hospice presents the 12th Annual Josefina Magno Conference: "Breathing In, Breathing Out:  Inspiration for Holistic Care" which seeks to equip the audience for integrative practice in providing relief of pain and suffering in serious progressive illness especially as it relates to shortness of breath/ Dyspnea.  Distinguished, multidisciplinary experts will offer a blended program of practical, holistic, empirically supportable, and evidence-based topics regarding the importance of the human breath throughout life.
More info: http://www.capitalhospice.org/healthcare/educational

Arizona, Phoenix - Walk MS for the MS Society
November 6, 2010, 5:30am - 10:30am, The Phoenix Walk MS starts and ends at SRP parking lot. Walkers enter the Phoenix Zoo and enjoy and early morning with the animals (this is the 3 mile walk).  Continuing on to the Desert Botanical Garden and then back to the SRP parking lot (this is the 5 mile walk). This route accommodates walkers of all ability levels and ages. Free admission to the Phoenix Zoo for the entire day.  Electric scooters, Segways, bikes, tricycles, wagons, strollers, rollerblades and skates are allowed.  Razors and skateboards are NOT allowed.  The MS Society loves dogs but the ZOO will not allow animals entrance into the facility with the exception of service animals.
Contact: Carol Czerniski, cczerniski@aza.nmss.org, 480-968-2488

SunTrust Richmond Marathon Health & Fitness Expo
November 11, 5-9 pm and November 12, 11am-9 pm at the Arthur Ashe Athletic Center, Richmond, VA, More Info: www.richmondmarathon.com/expo.htm, 804-285-9495

American Headache Society
November 11 – 14, 2010, healthcare professionals, Scottsdale, AZ

International Multidisciplinary Forum on Palliative Care
November 11-14, 2010, Budapest, Hungary

American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
November 18 – 21, 2010, healthcare professionals, Phoenix, AZ

North American Neuromodulation Society
December 2 – 5, 2010, healthcare professionals,  Las Vegas, NV

P.F.Chang’s Rock N Roll Health Fair and Expo, AZ
January 14-15, 2011, Phoenix Convention Center

AAPMedacine's 27th Annual Meeting
March 24 - 27, 2011 in Washington, DC
Pre-meeting activities begin Wednesday, March 23rd
The Governing Voices of Pain: Medicine, Science, and Government

• The preeminent meeting for physicians and their treatment teams in the field of pain medicine.
• Each year the American Academy of Pain Medicine's Annual Meeting focuses on the emerging issues in Pain Medicine. This premier meeting features expert faculty, new presentation platforms, and an unparalleled opportunity to network with fellow Pain Medicine practitioners and world-class Pain Medicine experts.
• Plenary sessions contain exciting, forward thinking perspectives by leaders on a wide range of topics. Dedicated to continually increase the scientific rigor of our educational programming, the conference boasts sessions that allow in-depth topics of special interest on the latest cutting-edge pain-related information. Attendees also have the opportunity to get a first look at the latest treatments for the Pain Medicine market and much, much more.

Improving Quality of Life and Quality of Care for Oncology Family Caregivers
Two courses are available in March 30-April 1, 2011 (app deadline is 10/1/10), and July 13-15, 2011 (app deadline is 2/1/11). A new National Cancer Institute-funded professional educational course for healthcare professionals aims to improve the quality of life and quality of care for oncology family caregivers across physical, psychological, social, and spiritual domains. Four three-day courses will provide teams of competitively selected interdisciplinary oncology professionals the opportunity to learn from national experts to improve support for oncology family caregivers around the country. The 2011 courses will be held at the Disneyland Resort Paradise Pier Hotel in Anaheim, California.

ON Going Events

Physicians For Patients
An online support community for those with RSD. We have a dedicated RSD physician on the site available to answer any questions people may have. We have developed a new health tracker we have developed for RSD patients. The the tool you can track your symptoms and see what may be contributing to them. This project will also be looking for associations. We will identify correlation’s between symptoms, daily activities, medications, and the environment. This will help us to better understand RSD and hopefully to guide us to new potential treatments. In order to identify statistically significant associations, we need a very large number of people to participate. Contact: Art Kaminski MD, President, www.crps.physicianforpatients.com

Does some needy person's home need work?
If so, consider nominating them for help from Angie's List.  They accept nominations all year round to give families in need a helping hand. They pair up "great home-service companies with highly deserving people."  Their contractor contacts donate time and materials to get the job done. You do not need to subscribe to Angie's List to nominate someone. So whether you know a pain patient, friend or family in need . . . consider nominating them. Send nominations to WishmakersRequests@angieslist.com.

RSD Care & Share Support Group of Tucson
We hold meetings once a month, on the second Saturday of each month, at 3PM.  We meet at the Masonic Lodge located at 3959 E. Mabel, Tucson, AZ (near Alvernon and Speedway). For more information please visit www.tucsonrsd.blogspot.com

Research Match
Research Match is a not-for-profit effort that brings together researchers and people who are willing to learn more about research studies via a secure and convenient online web portal. Research Match’s goal -to bring together two groups of people who are looking for one another: People who are trying to find research studies, and researchers who are looking for people to participate in their studies.  It is a free and secure registry that has been developed by major academic institutions across the country who want to involve you in the mission of helping today's studies make a real difference. www.researchmatch.org

RSDSA Launches Major Study on the Natural History and Long-term Health Effects of CRPS
The Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association (RSDSA) launched an Internet-based study entitled Long-term Health Effects of CRPS: A 20 year Cross-sectional and Longitudinal, Observational Cohort Study, funded by a grant from the Brodsky Family Foundation. The study design is patterned after the registry database conducted by the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS) Project, which has 34,000 participants. A previous Internet-based survey studied 1,300 people with CRPS, of whom about 1,000 participated in a follow-up questionnaire. RSDSA hopes that the new study will attract many more participants who will share their experience with CRPS for the benefit of all Anyone with the diagnosis of CRPS Types I and II can participate via a link on RSDSA's website or from the study website www.crpssurvey.org. Potential participants, who are not familiar or comfortable with Internet-based communication, can contact the study's Project Manager to obtain paper forms for registration, consent and enrollment. Participation is voluntary and anyone can withdraw from the study whenever they wish. Each year, the participants will be asked to answer questions about their health and healthcare utilization, treatment, and how CRPS is affecting their health and wellness. Participants do not need to submit medical records to register for the study, but we may request medical records to confirm information in the database. All questionnaires and records are confidential and securely held according to HIPAA and WIRB provisions.

Surrey Chronic Pain Support Group (NEW)
Next Meeting Date- TBD, contact group leader at seacave@shaw.ca, Guilford Recreation Center 15105 105 Avenue, Surrey, BC - Craft Room 2 - info session, meet and greet, let chronic pain survivors know what is available out there for them AND that they are not alone - All are welcome to these meetings to show support, for the need for this. It is a GREAT location - with quite a few w/c accessible stalls and additional parking around back there's an elevator to the floor we are on. It is easily located from either way on the freeway. Everyone is welcome to bring their own snack or beverage, OR there is a little coffee shop right there on the 2nd floor. Also, if people want to chat afterwards, there is the coffee shop, library, Guildford mall or my personal favorite to get people "out of their houses" - an indoor walking track!