ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Newswise — Managing chronic pain isn't about making your pain disappear; it's about enjoying life again, despite your pain. Each small step you take in your new role as pain manager will boost your self-confidence and strengthen your faith in your abilities.
According to Mayo Clinic on Chronic Pain, Second Edition ($16.95, softcover) three basic steps can help you understand and manage your pain: find the right physician, keep a journal and set goals.
Finding the right physician means finding a physician who is knowledgeable about chronic pain and wants to help. Consider asking your primary physician to refer you to a pain specialist. Learn all you can about your condition and your pain so you and your physician can work together as a team.
A daily journal helps you track your progress and determine the therapies or activities that seem to help you the most. A journal can help you identify your pain levels and patterns. A journal is also an easy way to keep track of progress toward reaching a goal.
Setting goals helps divert your attention from your pain, provides an opportunity to think about your lifestyle and what you can do to better manage your pain. Goals should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Trackable.
For more information about taking control of your pain, read Mayo Clinic on Chronic Pain.
Mayo Clinic Health Information is offering a free booklet, "Healthy Back." Write to Mayo Clinic Communications -- Healthy Back Offer -- OE-6, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905. Or, receive the booklet free when you order Mayo Clinic on Chronic Pain ($16.95 plus shipping, handling and applicable sales tax) by calling 800-291-1128 and mentioning order code 177.
Revenues from sales of Mayo Clinic books are used to help support Mayo Clinic medical education and research programs.
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