Resources and tips for those living with chronic pain

Cher_Alumni
Cher_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,714 Championing
edited March 2024 in Neurological impairments and pain

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.

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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:

 For support with mental health

Holistic techniques

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.

Comments

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 16,837 Championing

    I'd like to give a nudge about the Live Well with Pain website who started the 'Ten Footsteps' approach mentioned above which is about self help management for those living with chronic pain.

    Recent news is that Live Well With Pain have held their first National Conference: https://livewellwithpain.co.uk/

    They've also got a Chronic Pain Cookbook which is free to download or can be seen here: https://livewellwithpain.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/chronic-pain-cookbook-v3.pdf

  • tealhoneydew16
    tealhoneydew16 Scope Member Posts: 69 Contributor

    hi @chiarieds I suffer with RA, Osteoporosis, Fibromialgia RA being the first diagnosis, also depression, this will come in handy I will have a read thank you!

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 16,837 Championing

    I hope you find it useful @tealhoneydew16 - I have osteoarthrosis due to having the hypermobile type of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). Studies have shown that the pain those of us with hEDS suffer is very similar to that of fibromyalgia sufferers.

  • stressed76
    stressed76 Online Community Member Posts: 72 Empowering

    Ive got osteoarthritis in the spine, fibromyalgia & have multiple prolapsed discs too. Been suffering since i was 16 with my spine (over 30 years) & past 6 years with fibro (probably longer diagnosed in 2019)

    Painkillers have stopped working get no relief just side effects. Dr offered new medication but cant swallow tablets so non-starter.

    I use the skills i got from pain management course (mainly breathing techniques which are similair to asthma techniques) or if it gets to much go to sleep & reset.

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 16,837 Championing

    I agree @stressed76 - I'm a long-retired physio & used to teach 'diaphragmatic' breathing to those with back pain, maternity classes etc. I've long found that learning how to breathe properly helps reduce pain & stress, & it's my mainstay: https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/uploads/reconnect2life-1-deep-breathing-exercise-handout.pdf

    Pain medication helps with the neurological pain I also have, but doesn't do a thing for my hEDS. I've studied 'chronic pain' for several years now, & it's often found a combination of things helps the most, so hope you may also find some of the resources above helpful, including what we eat.

  • tealhoneydew16
    tealhoneydew16 Scope Member Posts: 69 Contributor

    @chiarieds I'm suffering very much atm with my RA it's getting worse my hand joints are so deformed I struggle with it all day every day

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