Healthy Changes

How Are You DOING?
Managing Chronic Pain

In the last issue of this newsletter, we ran an article on managing chronic pain. If you suffer from chronic pain, how well are you managing it? This article can help you check your progress.

Make a Plan
While it isn’t always easy, it is important to take a proactive approach to managing pain. How many of the following steps have you taken to help manage your pain? Check off the steps that you have accomplished.

	I work with a doctor who takes me and my pain seriously.
	I understand how important it is to communicate clearly with my doctor about my pain.
	I keep a pain diary, tracking how pain affects my daily life and noting the severity of pain using a scale from 1 to 10 (with 10 being the highest level of pain).
	I have worked with my doctor to develop a pain-management plan, including which medications to take, how and when to take them, and nonmedical treatments, such as meditation and exercise.
	I have learned about and continue to stay up-to-date on information about my condition.

Explore Your Options
Many people treat pain successfully by using both medical and nonmedical treatments. How many treatment options have you explored?

	My doctor has prescribed pain medication, and I know how and when to take it.
	I have discussed any concerns about taking pain medication with my doctor.
	I have tried at least one nonmedical therapy for pain, such as exercise and relaxation techniques, for one month.

Take Care of Your Mental Health

	I make an effort to stay in touch with friends and family on a weekly basis, even when I am in pain.
	I try to exercise on a daily basis, if only with short walks or gentle stretches.
	I recognize when I am feeling depressed and let my doctor know right away.

Suffering from chronic pain can make it difficult to take steps to help yourself. So if you have checked off even one item on this list, you deserve a big reward. Remember, most people with chronic pain find ways to lessen it to a tolerable level. You can too.

Back to Top