Resources and tips for those living with chronic pain

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Resources and tips for those living with chronic pain

Alongside advice from medical professionals, trustworthy online resources can be beneficial in learning new information and coping techniques around managing chronic pain.

 

With special thanks to @chiarieds, this is a ‘mega-thread sticky’ of suggestions for those impacted, both physically and emotionally, by chronic pain in everyday life.

Please feel free to share your own tips, thoughts, and anecdotes in the comments section below, and tell us what helps you?

From professional organisations:

•  NHS – Ways to manage chronic pain.
•  The Physiotherapy Pain Association – ‘Online resources for people living with pain’.
• Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust – 'Creating skills for the future: Deep breathing exercise'
• Pain Concern charity – Support leaflets.

 For support with mental health

• Breathing Space (Scotland) for anyone over the age of 16, feeling low, anxious or depressed.
• The Samaritans to speak with someone, without judgement, any time or day of the week. Options to email jo@samaritans.org or call 116123.
• NHS Inform – Chronic pain self help guide that uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help you live with symptoms more easily.
• NHS iCope – Extensive source of resources aimed at those with persistent pain impacting upon mental health.
• Scope – Managing mental health advice page lists changes to look out for and where to access support with mental health. 

Holistic techniques

• Gentle Tai Chi and yoga videos.
• A ‘How to meditate’ guide from @leeCal.

And finally, @chiarieds recommends the ‘Ten Footsteps’ approach, explaining:

Chronic/persistent pain is that which lasts for more than 3 months. It can be difficult to manage, but many people can gain control by better understanding why they feel pain, and that whilst this normally protects the body, we need to look at both the mind and body, to understand even more.

With people often having to wait months to be seen in a Pain clinic, or to get on a Pain Management Programme, the ‘Ten Footsteps’ approach is a good way for a person to start to learn how they may be able to manage their own chronic/persistent pain.

Your thoughts and experiences

We'd love to hear your words in response to any of the above. And if you want to start a thread dedicated to your own story, please feel free to start a thread in our chronic pain category.