New research uncovers how Australians choose to treat and manage pain

• New research released this National Pain Week (22 July – 28 July 2024) shows the majority of Australians choose paracetamol when it comes to treating their everyday pain as they trust it has a favourable safety profile, when used as directed.
  
  
• Paracetamol is generally well tolerated, it is suitable for use by 98% of Australian adults, without the need to seek medical advice.
  
  
• In 2023, 93% of Australians reported suffering from everyday pain like headaches, menstrual pain, joint pain and more.
  
  
• Pain is an important health issue, and when left untreated can impact a person’s ability to work, move, sleep and or maintain social and family interactions.
  

New research released this National Pain Week (22 July – 28 July 2024) sheds light on how Australians choose to manage their pain. 

In 2023, 93% of Australians reported suffering from everyday pain and of those 43% said they experienced this pain daily. 

The new research, commissioned by Haleon Australia, asked over 1,000 Australian adults how they manage their pain and importantly why they choose certain pain management strategies. The results showed that when treating and managing everyday pain:

• 72% of Australians say paracetamol is their first choice for pain relief.
  
  
• 78% of Australians typically use paracetamol.
  
  
• 7% of Australians choose to not use any pain relief products at all, preferring to wait it out.
  

Of the Australians who say paracetamol is their first choice for treating pain:

• 67% said it was because paracetamol is suitable for a range of different pain types.
  
  
• 63% said it was because they trusted paracetamol was a favourable safety profile, when used as directed.
  
  
• 53% said it was because they trusted paracetamol to relieve their pain.
  
  
• 37% said it was because paracetamol is suitable for most ages.
  
  

Dr Ginni Mansberg, trusted general practitioner, says that learning more about how Australians treat pain and why they make these decisions is important. 

“Understanding more about how Australians manage pain can help inform future approaches and strategies in the space. The research highlights the fundamental role paracetamol plays in pain management strategies in Australia, with over 70% of Australians naming it as their first choice for everyday pain relief. It also found that trust, suitability and efficacy are important factors that determine how we choose to treat pain,” says Mansberg.

Pain is highly personal, and it looks and feels different for everyone, even if the source or reason for the pain is similar. It not only takes a physical toll on individuals but also an emotional toll too, as many people who experience pain report a lower quality of life and higher levels of social isolation.

Joyce McSwan, Managing Director of PainWISE and pain management pharmacist, believes that when it comes to choosing pain relief many Australians look for options that can be used for a wide range of different pain types. 

“The new research highlights that suitability for a variety of pain types is clearly an important factor for Australians when it comes to choosing pain relief, with 67% of the population citing it as the reason paracetamol is their first choice for managing everyday pain.”

“Pain relief options that are proven to address a wide range of pain types can help streamline pain management strategies and reduce the burden of pain,“ she said.

The research also explored themes around accessibility of pain relief, indicating that 93% of Australians believe it is important to be able to purchase paracetamol and 77% saying they would be worried about managing their pain if accessibility was limited.

Nicolette Ellis, Chair of Chronic Pain Australia and Senior Clinical Pharmacist of Beyond Pain, says, accessibility to pain relief is extremely important, especially for those living with chronic pain.

“Over 3.6 million Australians live with chronic pain.³ Whether it be paracetamol or specialist care, it is vital that people living with pain, especially chronic pain, are able to easily access all the tools in their pain management tool kit.”

“In this year’s National Pain Survey, we found that pain not only colours every aspect of an individual’s life from mental health, financial strain, and inability to work and connect with their loved ones. Pain also has systemic effects on our community, health system and economy. We must prioritise implementing high-value treatments and interventions that are already evidenced to improve outcomes. We’re calling on all Australians to take notice of the impact of pain experienced by those living with and managing chronic pain and help reduce the stigma, isolation and mental health challenges associated with it,” said Ellis.

Elena Pintado, Head of Pain at Haleon ANZ, says, “pain is a serious health issue that impacts millions of Australians on a daily basis. At Haleon we believe that by understanding more about how Australians choose to treat their pain and why, we can help ensure that all Australians have access to a range of pain relief options, strategies and plans that are right for them.”