The Foundation is hosting the 18th edition of the event, dedicated to the theme ‘Pain is preventable’ and led by Dr De Andrés

The 18th conference on ‘Pain is Preventable’ has taken place, chaired by Dr De Andrés, Professor of Anaesthesiology at the University of Valencia and Head of the Department of Anaesthesiology, Resuscitation and Pain Management at Valencia General Hospital. For him, “the reasons that lead patients to visit the Pain Unit include, amongst others, pain arising from the lower back, neck, headaches, the pelvis, post-surgery or CRPS” He has emphasised that “growing older does not mean missing out on the good things in life because of pain”.

And so the programme moved on to the various presentations on pain, beginning with a panel discussion on today’s pain management units, featuring Dr Carmen De Andrés from the Pain Management Unit at Vithas Hospital, who explained that pain management units primarily treat chronic pain, are integrated into hospitals and comprise a multidisciplinary team. The most common reason for seeking treatment is age, with patients over 60: “We now know that pain is not just a symptom; it is now treated as a condition in its own right when it persists without any apparent cause. And to treat it, a biological, psychological and social approach must be taken.”

This was followed by a presentation by Dr Pablo Kot, also from Vithas, who spoke about chronic pain, “which is pain that lasts for more than three months, even after the cause has been removed. Between 20 and 30 per cent of the population suffer from it, and it is one of the leading causes of disability. “Treatments such as psychotherapy, meditation, self-care, the sensible use of medication, interventional treatments provided by pain clinics, and rehabilitation are real and accessible options for managing pain,” he pointed out.

Dr Estefanía Romero from Vithas Hospital spoke about options for managing pain: “But we need to realise that pain does not necessarily mean damage; it can be managed through rehabilitation, and it is advisable to stay physically active rather than rest.”

And Mar Machirán, a physiotherapist at the Vithas hospital in Valencia, spoke about the pelvic floor, “which is a group of muscles, connective tissues and structures located in the lower part of the pubic region and contributes to the body’s stability and other functions, such as sexual function.” In addition to “personalisation, regenerative therapies offer other advantages, such as long-lasting relief; they are non-invasive, carry a low risk, provide an alternative to surgery and have fewer side effects”.

Dr José De Andrés, course director at Valencia General Hospital and professor of Anaesthesiology at the University of Valencia, has opened the second panel session on regenerative medicine. According to De Andrés, “more than 20 per cent of the population suffers from chronic pain” and, over the years, the most significant progress has been made through individualised and personalised therapy, which enables the desired effect to be achieved.

Dr Juan Carlos Vázquez of Vithas Hospital has spoken about PRP and stem cells, which are not the same thing. “Platelet-rich plasma does not contain stem cells and does not replace lost cells. In contrast, stem cells do have the ability to replace cells and require more complex procedures,” he explained. “Lifestyle changes, weight loss and physical exercise improve symptoms, and treatments may include prolotherapy, PRP, stem cells and exosomes,” he concluded.

Dr Eider García from Quirón Salud Hospital in Vitoria explained regenerative therapies for osteoarthritis of the joints, saying, “It is the most common joint condition and one that affects quality of life.” “Nowadays, regenerative medicine aims to reduce pain rather than focus on disc regeneration or the progression of osteoarthritis.” Dr Rubén Rubio from Vithas spoke about regenerative therapies for the spine and stated that “all problems begin with ageing or weight-bearing stresses, amongst other factors, which ultimately affect the joint”.

“There are studies that demonstrate various treatment options which, with active involvement from the physiotherapist, are effective,” said Manuel Casado of Vithas at the opening of the third panel discussion, which focused on what to do to improve one’s condition and reduce pain. Dr Casado emphasised that “we must identify the causes leading to that pain” and called for “the professionalisation of physiotherapists”. For his part, Dr Catalá, also from Vithas, recommended an initial assessment involving a review of prior factors, objectives, progressive loading and technique. Moving, being consistent and using trends to our advantage, “the important thing is not to follow them blindly, but to pursue a sustainable path towards health”, he concluded. Turning to supplements for chronic pain, pharmacist Cristina Merinero discussed these supplements alongside the importance of rest, a healthy diet and physical activity. In her talk, she referred to magnesium, omega-3, creatine and vitamin D, and answered numerous questions from the audience.

Dr Vicente Monsalve, a psychologist at Valencia General Hospital, brought the day’s proceedings to a close by discussing the social, emotional and occupational aspects of pain. “The brain does not malfunction; it simply processes the information it receives,” he quoted Arturo Goicoechea as saying, and “chronic pain is the result of the brain being in protective mode,” he noted. Finally, Monsalve presented numerous statistics, such as the fact that “pain reduces social participation and leads to a lack of understanding, stigmatisation and emotional loneliness. “35 per cent suffer from social isolation, 54 per cent reduce their social participation and 20 per cent feel lonely. And one in three feels that their pain is not taken seriously,” reported Dr Monsalve.