One In Five for Sunday 16 March 2014

It's there all the time but no one else can see it.

Chronic pain affects one in six New Zealanders and can be hugely debilitating, sometimes leading to sleep loss, depression and changed family dynamics for those who experience it.

This week a Christchurch man, Kenny Didham, describes his experience of chronic pain and the improvements gained by working with the Pain Management Centre at Burwood Hospital.

Katy Gosset also talks to specialists about how pain management is gaining ground as a medical speciality in New Zealand.

Photo: Professor Ted Shipton and Sarah Johnstone from the Canterbury District Health Board’s Pain Management Centre