It is estimated that eight million people (more than one in 10) in the UK suffer from chronic pain, which can often be debilitating and lead to major life changes and significant cost, both financial and emotional.
After launching a well-received website in December 2012, a way with pain was granted full charitable status in January 2013, and this week announced that England international Wood as its first ambassador.
"We're delighted that Tom has agreed to be an ambassador for us," said Julia Kelly, founder of a way with pain. "He has shown a lot of determination over the past 12 months to battle back from his own complicated injury, so can empathise with people who suffer themselves from chronic pain.
"Chronic pain is something which is unique to each individual who suffers from it, and can often be misunderstood and have a lack of awareness. This is why I established a way with pain with my father - to help sufferers as much as we can, providing support and guides to therapies and self-management.
"Hopefully Tom's support will give us an increased profile and help us grow so that we can help more and more people."
Wood commented that this type of support could help change peoples' lives.
"People who suffer from chronic pain need as much support as possible, as do their families," he commented. "It is well known that injuries sustained by sportspeople can have lasting effects once their careers are over, but with over 10 percent of the UK population also suffering from chronic pain it is a much wider problem.
"I had no hesitation in supporting a way with pain, especially because it is a local charity, and hopefully I can help them achieve their aims."
For more information about the charity visit www.awaywithpain.co.uk
