Chronic pain among Australian youth: a growing, often misunderstood issue
When nine-year-old Cooper Smylie injured his knee playing tag, he hardly imagined the months that would follow: a burning, searing pain that would not fade. What began as a simple injury soon became a voyage through emergency rooms, GP clinics, and a quest for a diagnosis. For too many young Australians, this is not an isolated incident but a common reality: chronic pain that lasts for months, sometimes years, and disrupts daily life in profound ways.
One in five Australian children affected
Chronic pain is defined as pain lasting more than three months or outlasting the typical healing period. A recent Chronic Pain Australia report found that about 877,000 young people in the country are affected — roughly one in five children. The impact extends beyond physical discomfort to mental health, social life, education, and sleep. The pain is highly individual, ranging from dull aches to severe sensations that make basic tasks like showering difficult.
A slow, challenging path to diagnosis
For many families, the road to understanding is long and circuitous. Cooper’s experience culminated in a diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a rare condition that can follow injury or surgery. He later learned he also has allodynia, a nerve condition in which even light touches cause intense pain. The Chronic Pain Australia survey found that nearly two-thirds of young people waited three or more years for a diagnosis, or never received one at all. Dr. Kelsi Dodds, a neurophysiologist at the University of Adelaide, describes diagnosis as often a trial-and-error process across multiple health disciplines rather than a quick, single fix.
Invisible illnesses and the weight of misunderstanding
Invisible illness is a recurring theme. Dayna Mattchewson, diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis as a child, recounts how peers and teachers struggled to understand the need for accommodations. “They’d be like, ‘Why are you using the elevator? You don’t look like you have something wrong with you,’” she says. Dr. Dodds notes that this lack of visible symptoms can lead to minimization or dismissal, which compounds the emotional burden for young people and their families.
Education and daily life: the broader toll
The survey highlights that 83% of children with chronic pain missed school due to pain, and more than half risked falling behind academically. Pain management often centers on day-to-day coping rather than eradicating pain entirely. Cooper has learned to pace himself, plan his energy use, and channel his resilience into positive outlets, such as making fishing videos, which provide a distraction and sense of calm. Dayna uses a weekly biologic injection to curb inflammation and has even written a song about her experience to comfort others with invisible disabilities.
Stories of resilience and the need for better care
Both Cooper and Dayna emphasize the importance of being taken seriously by healthcare providers. “If a kid says they’re in pain, it needs to be looked at,” Cooper says. Dr. Dodds reinforces that effective care often requires a broader, multidisciplinary approach—addressing physical symptoms, mental health, school support, and social factors—rather than a single medication or quick fix.
Moving toward better support for young people in pain
The message from researchers and advocates is clear: chronic pain in youth requires recognition, validation, and comprehensive care. Early, empathetic engagement can prevent lasting isolation and help young people build strategies to manage pain as they grow into adulthood. As Cooper and Dayna work with Chronic Pain Australia and related organizations, they push for a healthcare environment that listens first, diagnoses thoughtfully, and collaborates with families to craft realistic, hopeful plans for daily living.
What families and schools can do now
– Listen to the child’s pain experiences without judgment.
– Seek multidisciplinary care (medical, physical therapy, psychology, school-based support).
– Provide accommodations in school and routine adjustments during flare-ups.
– Encourage activities that bring joy and distraction in a safe, paced manner.
Closing thoughts: a future where young people feel heard
Chronic pain in Australian youth is a real, tangible condition with visible consequences on daily life. The ultimate goal is not a miracle cure but sustained, compassionate care that respects young people’s experiences. As Cooper puts it, pain may be a part of life, but so should support, understanding, and the promise of a future where kids can be kids again.
