Tasmanian health professionals will join a team pedalling for chronic pain awareness, in a 700 kilometre journey aimed at tackling one of Australia's most burdensome health problems.
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Persistent pain affects one in five Australians, however less than 10 per cent of people receive the help they need.
Led by pain scientist professor Lorimer Moseley, the Pain Revolution Rural Outreach Tour will travel from Devonport to Hobart this month, visiting Launceston on March 19.
The free educational event aims to address common myths about chronic pain, while offering easy to understand information.
A major risk factor for depression, suicide, cancer, stroke and heart disease, professor Moseley said persistent pain was hitting rural communities hard.
“Persistent pain is a complex problem. We need collaborative cross-sector efforts to take it on," he said.
Burnie based physiotherapist and one of 19 Tasmanian pain educators Sinan Tejani will join the tour.
Having recently recovered from his own persisting neck pain, Mr Tejani said his condition did not resolve with standard treatment.
"I used a lot of passive treatments, like electrotherapy and massage," he said.
"Because I had access to them at work. I was obsessed with the tightness I could feel in my neck muscles and I completely stopped exercising because of the fear that it would cause me more damage."
A public seminar will be held at the Hotel Grand Chancellor on Tuesday from 4pm to 5.30pm.
A help desk, open from 3pm, will also be available for people to discuss their health problems.
Mobile science van Brain Bus, will be at Civic Square between 12pm and 2pm.
Visit painrevolution.org for more information.