SPS Members:

Our knowledge of pain has expanded dramatically since the l970's. The development of functional MRI and other technology has provided new insights into pain mechanisms and processing. Basic research has broached new vistas in unraveling basic neurochemical and physiological mechanisms. There is a developing appreciation that “pain”, particularly in the neuropathic setting, in fact is a “disease”. Hopefully, the days of considering it as a mere symptom or indication of some underlying pathophysiological process or worse, the trademark of individuals with a rather “weak constitution” are gone. The emergence of interest and research into genetic polymorphisms has propelled the current concept of “pain” as a combination of these genetic polymorphisms, physiological processing and psychological variables.

The growth in our understanding of pain and its mechanisms has been paralleled by an expansion of therapeutic options. Pain management in some arenas has indeed become “big business”. Many treatments have well established track records and contain evidence based support while others seem to be the product of blatant assertion. Many unsuspecting patients and practitioners alike may have difficulty distinguishing between the two unless afforded the opportunity for education. It is for this reason that organizations like the Southern Pain Society came into existence and must continue to fulfill the obligation of appropriate and meaningful research, education and training. At best, this research, education and training is difficult to carry out on the large scale needed without sufficient corporate support. New guidelines and regulations have in many instances encroached upon the magnitude and type of support available.

Over the years SPS has found a way to meet the challenges it has faced. The newsletter, now in the capable hands of Dr. Eriator, has been a source of information to the membership and the meetings an opportunity to offer education and training on a regional basis. It is important that both of these endeavors continue to be strongly supported. Each of us as members of SPS and individuals interested in the advancement of pain research and therapy must continue to recruit new members, offer up contributions to the newsletter, involve ourselves as participants or faculty in the regional meeting, and exert whatever influence we may have to secure corporate membership to SPS and support of its annual meeting and associated activities. The 2007 meeting is being spearheaded by Dr. Ben Johnson, immediate past-president of SPS, and is scheduled for September 28 and 29 at the beautiful and entertaining Opryland Hotel in Nashville. Dr. Todd Sitzman, president-elect of Southern Pain Society promises an equally engaging meeting currently scheduled for the fall of 2008 in New Orleans.

As members of SPS, pain researchers and clinicians, as well as corporate supporters, there is much to do and much to look forward to. I appreciate the opportunity to serve as the President of SPS for the next two years and hopefully will live up to the standards set by the previous presidents.

Daniel M. Doleys, Ph.D.

DMD/pfh

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