Pain is a common day-to-day experience for many people, estimated to afflict more than 70 million people in the United States today.

Pain not only diminishes the quality of life for patients and their families, but also has a serious affect on our entire society.

A 1985 study concluded that 550 million work days are lost each year in this country because of pain, with almost half due to headaches and chronic low back pain.  Pain accounts for more than $50 billion in lost productivity annually, not including the cost of medical treatment, workers' compensation, increased insurance costs and decreased quality of life.

With so much at stake, it makes sense for doctors and scientists to focus special attention on the treatment and management of pain.