NFMCPA - Proudly Serving the Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Communities
About Us
The National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association (NFMCPA) is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization. We support people with chronic pain illnesses and their families and friends by contributing to caring, professional, and community relationships. Through continuing education, networking with support groups and advocates, and affiliation with professional organizations, the members of the NFMCPA have a place to be informed, get involved, and recognize achievements.
We’re serious about life and enjoying it.
The NFMCPA addresses the controversies, prejudices, and the life-altering effects of fibromyalgia and overlapping chronic pain conditions that millions of people experience. Combined with the recent shift in the American College of Rheumatology’s FM diagnostic criteria that now includes 42 symptoms in the patient medical assessment, these issues--all part of FM co-existing conditions--are at the core of the Association's work to provide resources to help people live better with fibromyalgia and chronic pain conditions.
The shift in the scientific community, partially a result of the Decade of Pain (2000-2010) initiative, regarding recognition and treatment of pain related illnesses has encompassed FM and drawn it into the chronic pain conditions arena, dimming the identity of this disorder and encapsulating it in a more general designation. Because FM accompanies so many painful conditions, i.e. irritable bowel syndrome, interstitial cystitis, temporomandibular joint disorder, migraine headache, Lupus, etc., it was judicious to create and launch a new nonprofit that more closely represents modern FM concepts including its association with other co-morbid conditions.
Mission Statement: The National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association unites patients, policy makers, and healthcare, medical and scientific communities to transform lives through visionary support, advocacy, research and education of fibromyalgia and chronic pain illnesses.
Science is demonstrating that when study data is analyzed in a lateral fashion as opposed to a silo concept, many of these illnesses share common mechanisms of action, including dysautonomia, hyper-pain sensitivity and autonomic nervous system abnormalities. While each of these conditions is a unique entity the commonalities they share can potentially lead to better treatment protocols. It is imperative that people living with FM and other pain conditions have resources to help them better understand the relevance of addressing each of these disorders, especially as they relate to their specific set of symptoms. The NFMCPA creates and distributes information to help people find the resources necessary to live a better quality of life.
We bring together:
Science (research) ♦ Patients ♦ Health Care Providers ♦ Thought Leaders
Advocates ♦ CAM/IM Complementary/Alternative/Integrative Medicine
Our tools—
- Surveys and polls to keep you informed of what others are doing to find ease and resolution of pain and illness symptoms
- NFMCPA national representation in Washington, D.C. to work with legislators and report on national legislative activity
- Trained coalition leaders to organize responsive and pro-active grass roots efforts and develop state legislation
- Following state by state DUR and P&T schedules (Medicaid Drug Use Review Boards and Pharmaceutical and Treatment Committees)
- Affiliation with up-to-date patient advocacy organizations
- Community leadership development program (Leaders Against Pain)
- Strong IT (Internet Technology) skills
- Moderated forum for personal connectivity - An integrated part of the NFMCPA website
- Passion to make a difference
As a not for profit organization, we rely on donations and membership funding to continue our services. A dynamic NFMCPA staff member works diligently to win grants, endowments, and other funding sources. With those additional resources NFMCPA can increase its program efforts for the duration of funding.
We belong to a community that depends on others to be there when a person needs it most. As that person is doing better, they can be a support for someone else. Paying it forward is the rent paid for being part of humanity. Being of service to others brings out the best in us.
Your donations and membership are appreciated and valued.
We promote public awareness and understanding to support patients, families, and friends in their search to find useful information and methods for improving their condition and coping with the difficulties associated with fibromyalgia and overlapping illnesses.
We welcome your thoughts. If you have comments or questions please click on the contact button on any page within this site or send an e-mail to info@fmcpaware.org
--National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association