10 Steps | Chronic Pain Support Group
Transitioning from Patient to Person can be tough and often scary. Living with chronic pain often leaves us feeling alone and overwhelmed. Making this transition and returning to our life as best we can, as a person, is very important. It also requires many different phases. These phases, or these 10 steps, may help you recognize areas you may need to work on.
According to the American Chronic Pain Association, the 10 Steps from Patient to Person can help people living with chronic pain learn how to move from focusing on being a patient toward living much more fully as a person.
10 Steps
According to the American Chronic Pain Association, the 10 steps or phases that can help you make this transition easier are as follows.
- Accept the Pain. We all want to know why we are in pain. Try to learn as much as you can about your physical condition so you can develop a better understanding of what is wrong. You may also need to recognize that your condition may not be curable and that learning to live with and manage chronic pain may become part of your journey.
- Get Involved. It’s important you engage in your own treatment and recovery. Work with your doctor and become part of your own team so you can work on a treatment plan together.
- Learn to Set Priorities. We have all heard the phrase “Failing to plan is planning to fail”. Each of us knows what is important to us and how we want to spend our time. Prioritize what’s important to you.
- Set Realistic Goals. As you determine your priorities, make sure you set realistic goals so you can achieve them.
- Know your Basic Rights. You have the right to be treated with respect, to say no without feeling guilty, to make mistakes, and not to explain yourself.
- Recognize your Emotions. Body, mind, and spirit are one. How we feel does affect us physically.
- Learn to Relax. Stress can influence how we experience and cope with pain. Learn how to relax by doing relaxation exercises such as deep breathing or visualization.
- Exercise. A physical therapist once told me that there isn’t really anyone who can’t exercise. If you do not know what you can do to create movement in your body, check with your doctor or physical therapist. Research suggests that appropriate movement and exercise can be helpful for many people living with chronic pain.
- See the Whole Picture. As you transition through these phases, the goal is for pain to become one part of your life rather than the main focus of your life.
- Reach Out. Once you have learned to manage your pain, you can reach out and share it with others.
These 10 steps provide a guide, helping you look at the many different areas involved in living with chronic pain. These steps also remind us that managing chronic pain isn’t just about the pain itself. It can include learning about your condition, participating in your healthcare, setting priorities, understanding your emotions, managing stress, moving your body when you’re able, and connecting with others.
For more practical information and resources, continue through the Living With Chronic Pain Learning Center. You can also watch our 10 Steps from Patient to Person video series on YouTube.
Reference: American Chronic Pain Association 10 Steps from Patient to Person.