What chronic pain looks like for Australian youth
When nine-year-old Cooper Smylie injured his knee playing tag at school, he did not expect a six‑month chase for an answer. What began as a burning sensation in his right foot soon became a daily burden that kept him from walking, from school, and from simply being a kid with friends nearby. His story mirrors a broader reality: chronic pain in young people is common, often invisible, and frequently misunderstood.
One in five: a quiet crisis among Australian children
Chronic pain affects about 877,000 young people in Australia — roughly one in five children. A recent Chronic Pain Australia report, which surveyed 229 young people and their families, found pain can touch nearly every aspect of a child’s life: mental health, social life, education and sleep. Neurophysiologist Kelsi Dodds notes that the experience varies widely, from dull ache to severe pain that makes daily tasks feel like mountain climbs.
Why the system struggles to hear young patients
The report paints a troubling pattern: about 71% of young people were told their pain was due to anxiety, and more than half were dismissed as merely “growing pains.” Dr Dodds explains that a common assumption is that young people exaggerate pain to escape responsibilities or for attention. For Cooper, the impact was palpable: a loss of mobility, isolation from peers, and a perception that his symptoms were not taken seriously when he most needed guidance.
Invisible illnesses, real struggles
Invisible conditions, from CRPS to juvenile arthritis, challenge both patients and the adults around them. Dayna Mattchewson was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis at age three and has felt the frustration of not being believed or understood. “With invisible illnesses, it’s difficult for other people to accept and empathise,” she says. The lack of visible symptoms often leads to questions about necessity and fairness, from school accommodations to social activities.
Diagnoses and delays: a common hurdle
Almost two-thirds of the young people surveyed waited three or more years for a diagnosis, or never received one. Treatment frequently resembles a long trial of approaches across multiple specialties rather than a quick fix. In Cooper’s case, a definitive diagnosis—Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)—arrived after several medical evaluations, followed by additional testing for related conditions like allodynia. Early diagnosis matters, but even with it, there is no one-size-fits-all cure.
Living with pain: managing, not erasing, pain
Experts emphasize that chronic pain in youth is often managed rather than cured. For Cooper, pacing energy and planning daily routines are key strategies. He channels some of his focus into making fishing videos, a distraction that helps from the pain. Dayna, who receives weekly biologic injections to reduce inflammation, writes songs about her experiences to support others facing invisible disabilities. These personal strategies highlight a practical truth: effective management means adapting activities, expectations, and supports to the individual’s needs.
What needs to change: listening and support
Dr Dodds argues that children must receive care that acknowledges their pain as real and worthy of attention. Without this, isolation can deepen as children grow older, shaping their long-term relationship with health and school. Both Cooper and Dayna advocate for better understanding of chronic pain in youth, stronger school accommodations, and a health system that validates the patient’s experience rather than dismissing it.
Hope, advocacy and action
Cooper is now an ambassador for Chronic Pain Australia, while Dayna works with the Juvenile Arthritis Foundation of Australia. Their journeys underscore a vital message: when young people feel heard, their lives can still be rich with activity and purpose. If a child says they are in pain, their experience should not be minimized; their voice should guide care and support.
A call to listeners, educators and clinicians
Chronic pain in youth is a public health issue that demands empathy, thorough assessment, and coordinated care. By listening to young patients and valuing their reports, families, schools and healthcare providers can help reduce distress, improve education outcomes, and empower these young people to lead meaningful lives despite ongoing pain.
