Pune: Pain medicine is rapidly emerging as a major medical specialty in India and is expected to play a critical role in future healthcare delivery, according to experts from the Society of Study of Pain Pune (SSPP).
Experts highlighted that despite affecting millions, pain remains a significantly under-addressed healthcare issue in the country.
Speaking during a media interaction held on the sidelines of the annual general body meeting of the Society of Study of Pain Pune (SSPP), a constituent body of the Indian Society for Study of Pain (ISSP), Dr. Pradnya Bhalerao, President of SSPP, and Dr. Sanjog Mekewar, Secretary of SSPP, emphasized the growing importance of pain medicine in India.
They pointed out that the rising geriatric population, increasing participation in sports leading to occasional injuries, and the growing burden of chronic diseases associated with atypical pain are driving the demand for specialized pain medicine services.
Dr. Pradnya Bhalerao said, “Chronic pain can arise from conditions such as spine disorders, nerve injuries, cancer, arthritis, and neuropathic diseases. Many of these conditions require specialized assessment and treatment by physicians trained in Pain Medicine.”
She further stated that pain medicine is a rapidly evolving field that combines advanced diagnostics, minimally invasive interventions, regenerative therapies, and multidisciplinary care, thereby offering hope to millions suffering from persistent pain.
Dr. Sanjog Mekewar stressed the need to improve access to specialized pain care services across India.
“Untreated chronic pain affects far more than physical health – it significantly impacts quality of life, productivity, emotional well-being, and mental health. Early diagnosis and timely intervention can transform patient outcomes,” he said.
Experts noted that modern pain medicine offers several advanced treatment options, including regenerative therapies and Minimally Invasive Pain and Spine Interventions (MIPSI).
These include procedures such as spine endoscopy, radiofrequency ablation, spinal cord stimulation, intrathecal pumps, and regenerative therapies. Unlike conventional intravenous treatments, these interventions involve targeted injections administered directly at the source of pain.
New National Initiative: ‘Find a Pain Physician Near You’
In an important move aimed at bridging the gap in specialized pain care, the Indian Society for Study of Pain (ISSP) has launched a nationwide public awareness initiative titled “Find a Pain Physician Near You.”
Millions of Indians continue to live with chronic pain that remains either untreated or inadequately managed. Through this initiative, the ISSP aims to enhance awareness about specialized pain medicine treatment while strengthening the national network of trained pain physicians.
As part of the initiative, the ISSP is developing a national online directory of Pain Physicians that will enable patients, caregivers, and referring doctors to quickly identify qualified specialists in their respective cities or regions.
The directory, currently under development, already includes nearly 1,000 Pain Physicians from across India, including approximately 30 specialists from Pune.
Dr. Sanjog Mekewar explained, “This directory will serve as an important bridge between patients and specialists, ensuring faster access to appropriate treatment and helping people understand that chronic pain is treatable.”
The Indian Society for Study of Pain (ISSP) serves as the Indian chapter of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) and represents physicians and scientists committed to improving pain care, education, and research throughout the country.
PAINSCOPE PUNE 2026 Highlights Advances in Chronic Pain Science
Continuing its focus on education and innovation in pain medicine, the Society of Study of Pain Pune recently organized PAINSCOPE PUNE 2026, its first annual conference in Pune.
Held under the theme, “Unravelling Fascia: The Hidden Key in Chronic Pain,” the conference brought together leading experts to discuss cutting-edge research and emerging treatment approaches. Discussions particularly focused on the growing understanding of fascia as a crucial contributor to chronic pain syndromes.
More than 150 pain physicians participated in the conference, which marked a significant milestone in advancing scientific dialogue and awareness surrounding modern pain medicine and pain management practices.
As awareness grows and medical technology advances, experts believe pain medicine will assume an increasingly central role in healthcare delivery in the decades ahead.
Patients and healthcare providers can locate a Pain Physician through the official ISSP website.
