When you feel pain, it’s your body signaling that something isn’t right. Seeking medical support is the first step to ease pain. Together with your doctor, you will hopefully discover the underlying cause of the pain and work to resolve the issue. However, some conditions and injuries can result in persistent pain. If your pain lasts six months or longer, it’s considered chronic pain. The approach to ease chronic pain changes from resolving to managing. Chronic pain varies from person to person, and there is no universal treatment. Once you are diagnosed with chronic pain, it’s time to connect with a pain specialist. These experts will help find a treatment plan tailored to your specific pain, drawing upon a wide range of resources such as psychologists, clinical social workers, sleep medicine experts, nutritionists, and physical therapists.
The approach will differ for everyone, but the U.S. Pain Foundation offers these treatment tips:
- Start Small – If your pain levels allow it, start with low-risk, noninvasive treatment options, like physical therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, before moving to more serious interventions.
- Do Your Homework – Use the internet or your local library to research your condition and evidence-based treatments. Try to verify that the information is reliable; government agencies,
patient-led organizations, and well-known sites. - Maximize Your Doctor Visits – Bring a list of questions and think carefully about what your goals are for your appointment. Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and your needs.
- Stay Organized – Dealing with complex health issues can be a part-time or full-time job! To help juggle your various appointments, test results, therapy options, and insurance issues, start a
binder or folder to keep everything in one place. - Prioritize Your Mental Health – Many people with pain are so busy trying to manage their physical health that they forget to take care of themselves emotionally. Talk to your care provider
about ways to mitigate the emotional impact of pain. Minnesota has a chronic pain support group that meets via Zoom the first Wednesday of the month. - Be the Squeaky Wheel – If your insurance company denies a treatment option or says a specialist is out-of-network, don’t give up! Ask for an appeal or connect with a health advocacy
office that can help with insurance issues. - Specialized Programs – Large medical centers and hospitals sometimes offer immersive pain management programs. These programs can give you a jump-start on your pain management
and offer a variety of resources.
When you’re dealing with pain, don’t give up. With the help of your care team, you can reduce your level of pain so you can get a better quality of life and start enjoying the activities you love.
Source: U.S. Pain Foundation