Launch of the biography of Painaustralia’s Founder Dr Michael J. Cousins

Painaustralia was honoured to launch the biography of our founder Dr Michael J. Cousins, Breaking through the pain barrier by patient and author Gabriella Kelly-Davies.

As well as founding Painaustralia and designing Australia’s National Pain Strategy, Michael genuinely changed the way that Australia responds to pain through his advocacy for chronic pain to be understood as a condition in its own right, making the condition visible at a time when the medical profession was not yet ready to accept pain medicine as a legitimate field of practice.

Painaustralia CEO Carol Bennett facilitated the launch with a panel including Gabriella, Michael, his wife Michele and his brother Geoff along with the former NSW Health Minster, the Hon. Jillian Skinner and pain specialist Dr Marc Russo. US pain pioneers, Professor Dan Carr and Dr John Loeser spoke via video.

Breaking through the Pain Barrier: The Extraordinary Life of Dr Michael J. Cousins is available for purchase online through Hawkeye books and in bookstores nationally.

^{'A revealing book about an exceptional man who changed the way Australia responds to pain' Carol Bennett, Painaustralia CEO}

^{‘The fascinating journey and breakthroughs of a compassionate and driven doctor dedicated to reducing patient pain.’ Tara Moss, bestselling author and Painaustralia Champion.}  

^{‘Michael Cousins is a rare person whose vision for pain management is matched by his intellect and compassion. Michael’s work has made a difference to the lives of not only Australians but those living with pain conditions everywhere,’ Robert Regan, Former Chair, Painaustralia, Group General Counsel and Company Secretary, Downer Group.}

^{‘I am enthralled and can’t put the book down. The fascinating story of the man who brought pain medicine to Australia and devoted his life to the pursuit of pain relief,’ John D. Loeser M.D.' Pain Medicine Pioneer.}

^{‘Professor Cousins is a dedicated researcher and clinician who is committed to achieving lasting change in the way that Australia and many other countries around the world address chronic pain. I commend this book to those with an interest in making a difference in the lives of those affected by complex health and other challenges,’ Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston, Painaustralia Patron.}

^{‘Breaking through the Pain Barrier by Gabriella Kelly-Davies is a worthy tribute to Professor Michael Cousins. So many patients have benefited from the work Prof Cousins has done to improve the care of pain patients, from his holistic approach to pain and focus on brain re-training, pacing and neuroscience. It’s an engaging book, showing the reader the clinician, researcher and Prof Cousins’ family life as well. It offers hope to patients too, that pain can be better managed through access to holistic pain clinics and services,’
Sophie Scott, Journalist, Broadcaster, Author & Pain Champion.}

Living Well With Chronic Pain After Service event at Government House

Painaustralia would like to thank His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley for hosting a Painaustralia event to raise awareness and support for veterans who live with chronic pain at Government House in Canberra on Wednesday 23 June.

His Excellency the Governor General spoke at the event along with our Chairman Major General Duncan Lewis (Retd) AO DSC CSC, our National Patron Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK AFC (Ret'd) and veteran and 2020 female defence leader of the year, founder and CEO of AeroPM, Mrs Emily Frizell.

Australia is the first country to have a National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management

Health Minister Greg Hunt launched Australia's National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management (The Action Plan) at Painaustralia's Parliamentary Friends of Pain Management event on 18 May 2021.

In a world first, the Action Plan will provide real impetus and practical support for the 3.4 million Australians living with chronic pain said Painaustralia CEO Carol Bennett.

“The National Strategic Action Plan is a critical step towards improving the quality of life for the millions of Australians who live with chronic pain and every day face the challenges of accessing affordable and specialised pain treatment,” said Ms Bennett.
 

The Action Plan, which is now endorsed by all Australian governments, provides a pathway to improved pain awareness, support and treatment for people living with chronic pain.

Minister Hunt said the Action Plan was about providing people living with chronic pain a sense of hope and light and a way through.

Media Release

Celebrating a truly inspirational pain medicine pioneer

22 July 2021

One Saturday night in 1964 as a junior doctor, Michael Cousins saw two critically burned boys at a Sydney hospital begging for help. He saved their lives but struggled to reduce their agony because few pain treatments existed back then. That weekend Michael Cousins dedicated his life to improving the treatment of pain.

Ahead of National Pain Week from 26 July to 1 August, Painaustralia is launching the biography of its founder and pain medicine pioneer Dr Michael J Cousins AO on Sunday, 25 July at 10am.

Breaking through the pain barrier. The extraordinary life of Dr Michael J. Cousins by Sydney biographer Gabriella Kelly-Davies explores the way historic events shaped Dr Cousins and how he in turn shaped international pain research, treatment and policy.

A former patient of Dr Cousins, Ms Kelly-Davies said he gave her hope after two decades of crippling migraines.

“On my twenty-fourth birthday, some thugs had pushed me off my bicycle from their speeding car. The force of impact was so strong it propelled me into the air, and I landed on my head before rolling headfirst down the road. That day heralded the onset of a life of daily migraines,” she said.

“What followed was over a decade of Dr Cousins trying every possible treatment to manage my migraines. I sensed his determination in the way he persevered, even when my migraines didn’t respond to treatment. When we finally had a small breakthrough, I felt as if he had given me my life back.”
In 1990, Dr Cousins set up the pain centre at Royal North Shore Hospital. His pain centre rose to international fame and pain centres around the world modelled their facilities on his innovative blueprint.

Painaustralia CEO Carol Bennett said for several decades Michael Cousins led the pain world.

“Through nearly 50 years of research, he advanced pain treatments such as epidural analgesia and spinal cord stimulation to relieve lower back pain,” she said.

“He designed Australia’s National Pain Strategy that several countries replicated, and he was the driving force behind the creation 10 years ago of Painaustralia which developed and now has the endorsement of all Australian governments for the world-first National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management.

“A passionate advocate for people living with chronic pain, Michael Cousins tirelessly crusaded to destigmatise the condition. Through his relentless advocacy he also persuaded governments and organisations internationally to accept access to pain management as a fundamental human right.”

Ms Bennett said there are 3.4 million people living with chronic pain in Australia. “That’s a significant number of Australians and it costs the economy $144.1 billion dollars annually,” she said.

“It is often an invisible condition, having a devastating impact on their daily lives and in many instances people feel stigmatised and excluded from so many aspects of society.”

Breaking Through the Pain Barrier is available at hawkeyebooks.com.au and bookstores.