Flippin’ Pain™ tour will visit locations across North East England over six days, featuring an interactive ‘Brain Bus’, talks from renowned pain experts and a 25-strong peloton cycling for pain charity
Residents in Darlington can hear from experts rallying to change the way they think about, talk about and manage their chronic pain, as a revolutionary public health campaign kicks off in the town on Sunday 7th May 2023.
Research shows that 43% of people (two in five) in the North East are affected by chronic pain. The Flippin’ Pain™ roadshow – aimed at those with chronic pain, their loved ones, and healthcare professionals operating in the sector – will feature an interactive pop-up experience, the Brain Bus, which will be situated at Darlington Horse Market from 12-5pm. This immersive ‘science lab on wheels’ aims to ‘flip’ how visitors think about pain in a unique, hands-on learning experience.
A public seminar for anyone affected by chronic pain wanting to learn more and regain control of their lives will also take place. ‘Pain: Do You Get It?’, an entertaining and easy-to-understand look at some of the latest, often surprising science of pain, will be hosted at the town’s Theatre Hullabaloo by leading pain expert Cormac Ryan, Professor of Clinical Rehabilitation at Teesside University.
The 90-minute event will include opportunities for audience questions with an expert panel, including those personally affected by chronic pain. Tickets for the seminar (2:30-4pm) must be booked in advance via the Flippin’ Pain™ website.
A second seminar event, tailored to healthcare professionals looking to increase their knowledge of pain management treatments and education, will take place later in the day at Theatre Hullabaloo, hosted by the world’s most renowned pain educator, Professor Lorimer Moseley.
Professor Moseley has won Australia’s most prestigious prize for medical research and written the two highest-selling pain books internationally; Flippin’ Pain™ follows the learnings of his ‘Pain Revolution’ movement in Australia. Tickets for the workshop, ‘Lifting the lid on pain’ (5:30-7pm), must also be obtained in advance.
Additionally, a peloton of 25 cyclists – made up of pain experts and those who live with pain, will concurrently be clocking up miles across the area whilst raising awareness and fundraising for national charity, Pain Concern.
Flippin Pain’s campaign director, Richard Pell said: “Understanding pain is so important. We know that how people think about their pain can change the way it feels and how they respond to it. Many long-held beliefs about pain are hugely out of step with modern scientific understanding. People deserve better. Many are suffering more than they should, losing control of their lives and their quality of life.
“I would urge people living with pain, their friends and family too, to engage with the campaign and do so with an open mind. Flipping your understanding of pain won’t take it all away overnight – but it can be transformative and has been the first step on the road to recovery for many.”
The 2023 Flippin’ Pain™ community outreach tour is in collaboration with partners, Tees Valley Sport and You’ve Got This – Sport England funded local bodies committed to encouraging and supporting people in the region to engage in regular physical activity. Plus, NHS South Tees and NHS North Tees and Hartlepool, and Teesside University.
Lauren Perkin, Programme Officer for You’ve Got This – South Tees LDP said: “Through the work we do in the local community, we know there’s a very high incidence of chronic pain, and there’s often less belief from people that they can do something about it, because they’ve never been told or shown they can.
“As You’ve Got This’ vision is ‘active lives as a way of life’ we’re very proud to support this brilliant event. And we’re excited to see the reaction from the community, which I’m sure will be overwhelmingly positive in helping people ‘flip’ how they view and deal with pain.”
Flippin’ Pain™ Tees Valley Roadshow 2023
· Sunday 7th May – Darlington Horse Marketand Theatre Hullabaloo.
· Monday 8th May – Yarm town centre and St Nicholas Parish Church Hall, Guisborough.
· Tuesday 9th May – Whitby Bandstand and Whitby Town Football Club
· Wednesday 10th May – James Cook Hospital, Redcar Seafront and Saltburn Arts Centre.
· Thursday 11th May – Hartlepool Market Place, Hartlepool College and Hartlepool Marina.
· Friday 12th May – Durham Market Place, Elvet Methodist Church and The Assembly Rooms.
Full details can be found on the Flippin’ Pain website.
