A GROUP of medical professionals will go to great pains in an attempt to break a vicious cycle this month.
The Pain Revolution- a seven day, 770km cycle from Sydney to Albury Wodonga is set to start today (Wednesday).
The 23 riders taking part in the initiative will comprise physiotherapists and other health workers. They will complete the ride in a bid to spread awareness about chronic back pain.
Leading them is University of South Australia's Professor of Clinical Neuroscience Lorimer Mosely.
He hopes to share discoveries about persistent pain prevention and treatment with those he meets on the way.
"We need to engage with this massive problem in a new way, and give people the resources to retrain their pain system," Professor Moseley said.
"We want to get to those who may have given up hope of living their daily lives without pain, and give them the confidence to find new ways of thinking about and dealing with their pain."
The group is also aiming to raise funds to support the development of a local pain education network throughout rural and regional Australia.
Statistics from Pain Australia suggest chronic pain and particularly back pain, is 23 per cent more likely to affect regional and rural Australians than those living in urban areas.
The percentage rises to 30 per cent for people aged 55-64.
Seminars will be held along the way about the latest advances in pain science and treatment.
Last year's ride raised enough money for 10 scholarships for rural health professionals to become local pain educators.
Funds raised this year will be used to further roll out the pain education program by facilitating workshops across the country.
The Australian Physiotherapy Association sponsored the ride.
