How to Manage Chronic Pain Effectively
It is virtually impossible to estimate the number of people who suffer from chronic pain syndrome (CPS). Many experts suspect, however, that it's in the millions, and many people with CPS suffer needlessly because they do not understand how to build a therapeutic relationship with their pain management provider--or how to implement chronic pain management effectively.
In this article I will focus on the nature of chronic pain--and about developing a therapeutic relationship with your healthcare provider.
Things You'll Need
- An understanding of chronic pain syndrome
- A good relationship with a pain-treating clinician
- An understanding of your healthcare provider's clinical approach and philosophy regarding CPS
- Your goals for pain relief
- Open and honest communication with your provider that is bilateral in direction
- An openness to other avenues of pain treatment besides medication
- A therapeutic contract between you and your provider detailing the treatment plan
- A written agreement that clearly outlines both your own and your provider's rights and responsibilities regarding CPS treatment
Instructions
-
-
1
Understand that CPS is a loosely defined syndrome, which some experts say begins with 3 to 6 months of pain that does not abate. There are many causes of chronic pain such as lower back pain, chronic diseases such as cancer, HIV and even cardiac disease. Unfortunately, the exact cause of CPS is often not fully identified, which is problematic for treatment and very frustrating for both the patient and the clinician.
-
2
Accept some trial-and-error efforts when CPS treatment is first started. Finding the "right" treatments straight away is a rare occurrence, and your input as the patient is essential. For example, fibromyalgia, a major cause of chronic pain, was once considered a "wastebasket" diagnosis, a condition hard to isolate, treat, verify or see any real results from treatment. Today, however, with more information known about this condition, there are several medications and treatment options that specifically treat and target the pain of fibromyalgia.
-
-
3
Have all of your essential testing done to determine the nature of your CPS, along with thorough documentation and regularly-scheduled medical followups. This is important because too many people seek pain medication needlessly and place clinicians at a risk of losing their licenses.
-
4
Many clinicians will use a therapeutic "pain agreement" with their CPS patients. Typically, this agreement should clearly spell out how the pain is being treated, side effect management, what the patient should do if the treatment is not adequate and other rules of conduct. If you have one of these agreements, it should be in writing, signed by both you and your clinician and reviewed often.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Always fully understand the exact treatment plan for your CPS.
Only use one agreed-upon pharmacy for all of your pain medications.
Most pain-treating clinicians want to help you achieve the pain relief you desire if at all possible. Being a therapeutic partner with them is one of the best ways to achieve this goal.
Never alter the plan without direct input from your healthcare provider.
Never increase or alter your pain medication dosing without the expressed and informed permission of your healthcare provider.
Never "doctor shop" and attempt to get pain medication prescriptions from several different providers.
This article is for informational purposes only. CPS needs to be diagnosed and treated by a licensed healthcare professional.
