The European Pain Federation EFIC is pleased to share recent news and updates from our national chapters below.
UK
British Pain Society (BPS) – Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM)
The British Pain Society’s (BPS) Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) will take place from 21–23 April 2026 in Harrogate, bringing together healthcare professionals, researchers, and students from across the UK and internationally to explore the latest advances in pain science and management.
The ASM 2026 promises a dynamic programme of plenary lectures, interactive workshops, and poster sessions covering all aspects of pain management, from acute and chronic pain to neuropathic and complex conditions. Delegates will have the opportunity to network with colleagues from across the UK and abroad, exchange ideas, and build lasting professional relationships while gaining practical knowledge to enhance patient care and clinical outcomes. Early Bird registration is open until 11 March 2026, so register soon to secure your place at this inspiring event. Full details are available on the ASM website.
The BPS is delighted to welcome a distinguished lineup of plenary speakers who are shaping the future of pain science and care. Professor Karen Davis from the University of Toronto will present on brain and behavioural measures of endogenous modulation, exploring individual variability and sex differences. Professor Lorenzo Fabrizi from University College London will discuss the representation of nociception and pain in the developing brain, while Professor Tim Hales from the University of Dundee will explore the lasting imprint of childhood stress and its clinical implications for pain. Professor Frank Huygen from Erasmus MC University Hospital will present on neuromodulation for low back pain, and Professor Brian McGuire from the National University of Ireland Galway will examine comorbidity and pain. Dr Rianne van Boeke from Radboud University Medical Center will focus on optimising postoperative pain, translating research into recovery, and Professor Kris Vissers from Radboud University will deliver insights on integrating pain medicine and palliative care for individuals with advanced disease. The Patrick Wall Lecture will be delivered by Professor Karen Davis, while Professor Kris Vissers will deliver the British Pain Society Lecture.
Membership
In addition to the ASM, the BPS invites members to renew or begin their membership for 2026. Membership provides the opportunity to join a truly multidisciplinary community of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, pharmacists, and researchers committed to improving pain management. BPS is pleased to offer a £25 membership rate for students, early career professionals, and retirees, ensuring that everyone, at every stage of their career, can stay connected and engaged. Members gain access to world-class education, including conferences, webinars, and publications, and have the opportunity to influence policy, research, and clinical practice, while connecting with colleagues across disciplines to help shape the future of pain care.
Webinars
Several webinars are scheduled throughout 2026, and recordings of recent sessions are available via the webinar section of the BPS website. Highlights from recent webinars include discussions on opportunities and successes in pain research funding, the influence of childhood experiences on adult pain, mindfulness-based lifestyle approaches for chronic conditions such as long-COVID syndrome, women’s experiences in pain in a joint session with Women in Neuroscience UK, and strategies for integrating supportive self-management into clinical services in collaboration with the Primary & Community Care SIG and Live Well with Pain. Additionally, the BPS will explore how health professionals can effectively navigate initial conversations with individuals transitioning to non-medical, non-cure-seeking chronic pain support, ensuring these early discussions are empathetic, person-centered, and focused on improving quality of life and self-management strategies.
Portugal
NeuroDor 360 – A Comprehensive Vision of Neuropathic Pain
IX APED Congress | 15–16 October 2026 | Tomar, Portugal
The Portuguese Association for the Study of Pain – APED is pleased to announce that its IX Annual Congress will take place on 15–16 October 2026 in Tomar, Portugal, under the concept: NeuroDor 360 – A Comprehensive Vision of Neuropathic Pain.
Neuropathic Pain remains one of the most complex and challenging conditions in contemporary clinical practice. Its multifactorial pathophysiology, diagnostic intricacies and substantial impact on patients’ quality of life demand continuous scientific advancement and multidisciplinary collaboration.
The 2026 Congress will provide a strategic forum for healthcare professionals dedicated to pain management to exchange knowledge, discuss emerging evidence and explore innovative approaches to diagnosis and treatment. The program will include plenary lectures, multidisciplinary debates, free paper and poster presentations, and dedicated networking opportunities, bringing together national and international experts across specialties.
The focus on Neuropathic Pain is part of a broader set of initiatives that APED will develop throughout 2026 to support the aims and objectives of the IASP Global Year of Neuropathic Pain, in its capacity as the Portuguese Chapter of the International Association for the Study of Pain – IASP.
Further information regarding the scientific program and registration will be available shortly.
