Lucknow: A free Bone Mineral Density (BMD) screening camp was inaugurated at the Pain Medicine Outpatient Department of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (Dr RMLIMS), Lucknow, to mark September as Global Pain Awareness Month. The camp was inaugurated by Prof. C. M. Singh, Director of Dr RMLIMS, with the objective of promoting awareness about chronic pain and osteoporosis and encouraging early detection and timely treatment.
Prof. Shivani Rastogi, In-charge of the Pain Medicine Unit at Dr RMLIMS, emphasised that persistent pain should not be considered an inevitable part of ageing. She highlighted the importance of identifying poor bone health early, particularly among postmenopausal women, older adults and individuals at higher risk of osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis often remains undetected until a fracture occurs, potentially leading to severe pain, reduced mobility, disability and loss of independence. Indian studies indicate a substantial prevalence of osteoporosis among postmenopausal women, underlining the need for preventive screening and appropriate medical intervention.
Prof. Rastogi also stressed the importance of investigating the underlying causes of back pain, musculoskeletal pain and other persistent pain conditions.
Dr Anurag Agarwal, Honorary Secretary and CEO of the Indian Society for Study of Pain (ISSP), said chronic pain remained a significant but frequently overlooked public health concern. He noted that many patients continued to suffer without realising that specialised medical care was available.
He reiterated the ISSP’s message: “Suffering from chronic pain? Visit a Pain Physician.” The society aims to improve public awareness, expand access to scientific pain management and strengthen Pain Medicine as a dedicated super-specialty.
The programme highlighted evidence-based approaches to managing acute, chronic, neuropathic, cancer-related and musculoskeletal pain, including interventional procedures where clinically appropriate. It also underscored the importance of better awareness, diagnosis and treatment of neuropathic pain, the focus of the International Association for the Study of Pain’s 2026 Global Year initiative.
The BMD screening camp reflects the joint commitment of the Pain Medicine Unit at Dr RMLIMS and ISSP to community awareness, early identification of health risks and improved access to specialised pain care.
