Whose Persistent Pain Is It Anyway and More Importantly…. Who Does What?

Whose Persistent Pain Is It Anyway and More Importantly…. Who Does What?

Dealing with and managing persistent pain can be tough, especially when you're navigating work, stuff at home, friendships, and life in general. If you or someone you know is struggling with ongoing pain, it’s important to understand that you or they are not alone. Both patients and healthcare professionals have important roles in managing this pain, leading to better care and a healthier, happier life. Let's break down why teamwork is so crucial.

First, pain is a tricky thing. It’s different for everyone and can feel very personal. If you're experiencing persistent pain, remember that you know your body best. Keep track of how your pain is impacting of your life, what makes it worse, and how it affects the everyday stuff. Sharing this info openly with your doctors / healthcare team is super important. When you speak up about your experience, it helps them understand what you need, leading to better ways to manage your pain. You have the right to be your own advocate in this journey!

On the flip side, healthcare professionals are there to help, but they need your input to do their job well. It's not just about prescriptions and treatments—it's also about listening to you and building a pain self management plan TOGETHER. Building a supportive relationship with your doctors and healthcare team can make a huge difference. They want to understand what you're going through, so don’t hesitate to share your feelings. Making sure they know how your pain impacts your life will help them suggest better options tailored to you.

Together, you and your healthcare team can create a solid self-management plan to manage your pain. This pain self management plan might include these five pain self-management skills.

• Goal setting / Action planning
• Pacing daily activities
• Problem solving
• Meaningful movement (keeping active, stretching/exercise?)
• Knowing what to do if something goes wrong (have a setback plan)

Others may include medications management, talking to a counsellor, or trying out relaxation techniques. Remember, it’s about finding what works best for you! When you participate in your pain self-management plan, it not only empowers you but also shows the medical and healthcare team what’s working or what needs to change and managed.

In short, managing persistent pain is a team effort. You and your healthcare team both have valuable perspectives that can lead to a better understanding of pain and effective ways to deal with it. By working together and respecting each other’s experiences, you can find useful strategies that help make life easier and improve your wellbeing. Remember, you’re not in this alone and the Pain Toolkit is here to help you.

The Pain Toolkit Academy Online Course.

Checkout the online course.  We have kept it low cost and affordable, so not to discourage people to join. 

We have also included a Pain Toolkit Academy Community, which allows you to chat Pete Moore, Katie Knapton, Dave Oxley and of course others who have registered.

Pete Moore

Originator of the Pain Toolkit