Why be a member of the International MYOPAIN Society?

The focus of the International MYOPAIN Society (IMS) is to improve our understanding and care of myopain conditions including myofascial pain (MP), fibromyalgia (FM), myositis, muscle contracture, ligament strain, dystonias, dystonias, muscle spasm, and other soft tissue pain conditions. Let me explain why these common soft tissues (ST) conditions warrant expanded effort from all health care professionals, health systems, and researchers to better understand and manage them and it begins with membership in the IMS

Myopain conditions are the most common cause of chronic pain: Everyone, at some point in their lives, has experienced acute muscle pain associated with trauma or repetitive strain. Yet, few people recognize that these conditions are the most common cause of chronic pain and associated with more visits to health professionals than any other pain condition. Two prior studies of clinic populations found that muscle pain conditions were cited as the most common cause of pain, responsible for 54.6% of chronic head and neck pain (1) and 85% of back pain (2). Another study, in a general internal medicine practice, found that among those patients that presented with pain, ST pain was found in 29.6% of the patient population and was the most common cause of presenting pain (3). The lack of awareness of these muscle pain conditions in clinical practice is surprising.

Myopain conditions often progress to chronic pain: When acute ST pain becomes chronic due to the persistence of risk factors for chronic pain, patients, and their healthcare providers can become confused and overlook the soft tissues in favor of treating other conditions, particularly joint pathology. This lack of understanding leads to misdiagnosis, mistreatment and progression of an acute problem to chronic pain. Escalation of care often results with advanced imaging, multiple medications, long-term opioid use, prolonged therapies, implanted devices, and even repeated surgeries for benign joint disorders that are presumed to be the cause of the pain (4–7). Behavioral and psychological components of chronic pain become misunderstood, and some providers assume the patient’s experience of pain is imagined or exaggerated (8,9). As a result, half of the persons seeking care for pain conditions still have pain 5 years later, and up to 25% of them receive long-term disability (10–12). In these cases, the burden upon individuals in terms of inappropriate care, ongoing pain, and suffering is incalculable.

We all need to understand myopain conditions: Understanding the etiology, diagnosis, management, and prevention of myopain conditions are critical for all healthcare professionals, patients, and the health systems that they work in. The International MYOPAIN Society works to be an inclusive orgnanizations with members representing all clinical areas. Consider joining if you are not currently a member. Here are some the activities that have occurred in the past year and plans for the next year. We would be excited to have you as part of them.

Past year’s activities

1. Toolkits for preventing chronic pain: The IMS launched the Campaign for Preventing Chronic Pain website at www.preventingchronicpain.org. The three goals of the campaign includes (1) expand research and development on the causes of chronic pain with the Chronic Pain Research Network, expand education on how to prevent chronic pain through on-line training in the Toolkits for Preventing Chronic Pain, and expand advocacy to increase awareness of the importance of preventing chronic pain through Employer Engagement Programs. On-line toolkits for preventing different chronic pain conditions will be available through the Campaign on this website in 2016. Look for them.

2. Treating and preventing (TAP) chronic pain conference: Organized the TAP conference on Treating and Preventing (TAP) Chronic Pain on 9–10 October 2015 in Arlington, VI, was co-sponsored with the National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association. It was a productive meeting with 2 days of presentations and discussions with both patients and health care providers about the most cutting edge research and education initiatives for the most common chronic pain conditions: fibromyalgia and myofascial pain.

3. Leadership round table discussion: A Round Table Forum was organized, on 8th of October 2015. Stakeholders from Industry, FDA, NIH, clinicians, scientific community, and patient advocacy groups to develop specific steps for improving the recognition, prevention, and treatment of chronic pain conditions including fibromyalgia.

4. Journal of Musculoskelatal Pain: We have updated the journal to include a new publisher, a new editor in Dr. Michael Sorrell and many new editorial board members. The goal is to ensure that we present the most innovative research in myofascial pain and fibromyalgia.

5. On-line course on preventing chronic pain: We offered the On-Line Course on Preventing Chronic Pain in 2014 and 2015 at http://www.coursera.org/course/chronicpain. We have had over 45 000 registrants to date. 93% of those evaluating the course believed that it changed their life, and 85% believed that it changed the care of their patients. “This course is one of the most generous offerings that I have ever encountered. There is so much life-changing, life-affirming information available to anyone is rare and amazing. I am VERY grateful for it."

6. Risk assessment for preventing chronic pain: We launched the pain and risk factor assessment website that will be used in the Toolkit at; http://www.biomedicalmetrics.com/cgi-bin/home.cgi. We are currently evaluating the responses from 4178 participants to analyze the psychometric characteristics of the scales and evaluating outcomes of the impact of the training program.

Some of this year’s activities

1. International IMS planning: The IMS is planning the next International Congress to bring together groups in Asia, Australia, Americas, and Europe to focus on basic and clinical science of myopain conditions including peripheral and central sensitization, risk factors for myofascial pain and fibromyalgia, as well as clinical research on preventing and treating chronic pain. Look for the next International MYOPAIN Congress that will bring together diverse scientists and clinicians to present and discuss cutting edge research.

2. Regional IMS chapters: We are establishing IMS Chapters in Germany, Thailand, Australia, United States, and others in discussion. As part of this, we are planning IMS regional meetings to provide you with valuable clinical seminars and topical workshops to learn the practical strategies of caring for patients with these common conditions. Look for them.

3. Myopain Library: The growing on-line Myopain Library provides its members with educational resources for patients and health professionals to use in their clinics. We are interested in sponsors for meetings, sessions, and exhibits at these meetings.

4. Expand sponsorship of the campaign for preventing chronic pain: The campaign is developing programs to support our corporate sponsors in preventing chronic pain among their employees and their family. This will reduce pain, absenteeism, and disability, reduce health care costs, improve productivity, mood and relationships, and enhance recruitment and retention of employees. Each Employer Toolkit includes staff training seminar for implementation, on-line assessment, and self-management training for each employee to reduce their risk factors and enhance protective factors, books, handouts, and pain preventing tools.

Lastly, as President of the International Myopain Society, it is my pleasure to thank the incredible husband–wife team of Dr. Jon Russell and Barbara Runnels for over 20 years of service and dedication to the Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain and to the International Myopain Society. Dr. Russell was the founding Editor of the Journal in 1993 when it was created as a result of global interest in chronic musculoskeletal pain. His steady leadership guided the journal to become the primary source of scientific and clinical knowledge about musculoskeletal pain. His internationally recognized signature for the JMP was the beautiful cover art he selected and the erudite commentary blending art and science he provided.

Barbara Runnels was the first Executive Director of the IMS when it was formed in 1992 and she has guided the IMS over the course of the past 20 years. Her ability to collaborate and develop lasting relationships with members over the years was a primary reason for the success of the Society. She also excelled at both creating memorable international meetings and maintaining stellar health of the organization with a growing membership. It is through these two remarkable people that recognition and understanding of myopain conditions have continued to grow.

We should all thank them for their wonderful life-long contributions.

I also want to thank Rae Gleason as our new Executive Director this past year for the International MYOPAIN Society. She is a strong and tireless advocate for improving research and care for patients suffering from chronic pain. Her leadership has been essential to help lead the IMS into the future.