National Pain Policy Act headlines 11th Annual Headache and Pain Conference
Growing awareness of head and chronic pain issues spurs record attendance of more than 550 pain professionals for day-long conference

ANN ARBOR, MI, May 28, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Michigan Head•Pain & Neurological Institute (www.mhni.com)
in Ann Arbor, Mich., is hosting its 11th Annual Update in Headache & Pain Management on Friday, May 29th at The Ritz-Carlton in Dearborn, Mich. Among the featured speakers is Rep. Mike Rogers, principal author of the new National Pain Care Policy Act, the nation's first comprehensive Congressional legislation addressing the subject of pain in the United States.

Pain affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. According to the National Centers for Health Statistics, pain affects 76.2 million people.

More than 550 pain professionals are registered for the day-long program, marking the largest number of attendees in the 11-year history of the Update in Headache & Pain Management Conference. Attendees include primary care physicians, specialists, physician assistants, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists, nurses, rehabilitation specialists, case managers, and other health professionals interested in pain patients.

Rep. Rogers will discuss the passage of the National Pain Care Policy Act in the House of Representatives, efforts to pass similar legislation in the Senate, and provide an update on national healthcare reform. Conference Director Dr. Joel R. Saper, who founded MHNI 31 years ago, was instrumental in the formulation of the legislation through his work with Congressman Rogers.

Other sessions at the 11th Annual Update in Headache & Pain Management Conference include:
• Strategies for Treating Challenging Headache Conditions
• Cluster and Related Headaches
• New Daily Persistent Headache
• Women and Headaches: Menstrual Migraine & More
• Neurobiology of Pain: Fibromyalgia, Placebo Effect & More
• Chronic Pelvic Pain and Related Syndromes
• Current Concepts in Neuromodulation for Chronic Pain
• Physical Therapy, Pain and the Central Nervous System

Leading experts from across the United States will join MHNI specialists to present their latest findings. Presenters represent University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, University of Michigan, as well as MHNI.

Dr. Saper said, "The Conference presents a uniquely comprehensive update on the state
of headache and pain management by bringing several of the world's leading experts together. Every day we are learning more about this debilitating health issue. The Conference allows us to provide a strong foundation of information about pain to a broad range of health care practitioners."

The 11th Annual Update in Headache and Pain Management conference will take place Friday, May 29th from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton in Dearborn, Mich. The conference
is for health professionals interested in headache and pain management. For registration information, call (734) 677-6000, ext. 146, or visit online at www.mhni.com, click on "Annual Conference."

About MHNI
Dr. Joel R. Saper founded the Michigan Head•Pain & Neurological Institute over 30 years ago. MHNI, based in Ann Arbor, Mich., is considered one of the premier centers for head and neck pain management providing comprehensive, aggressive care to patients from around the world who suffer from headache and related painful disorders. MHNI partners with Chelsea Community Hospital (CCH) for specialized hospital-based treatment. Dr. Saper and CCH developed the head pain treatment unit at CCH in 1978, forming the first hospital specialty program of its kind in the world.

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If you are interested in interviewing Dr. Joel Saper or any other conference participant prior
to the conference, please contact Walter Kraft at Caponigro Public Relations Inc., (248) 355-3200.

Press Release Contact Information:

Walter Kraft
Caponigro Public Relations
Executive Vice President
4000 Town Center
Southfield, MI
USA 48075
Voice: 248-355-3200
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