National Pain Week 2023
National Pain Week runs from 24-30 July. It’s organised each year by Chronic Pain Australia to support the needs of the many Australians living with some form of chronic pain.
Living with chronic pain can be a very lonely experience. Many people feel isolated and think that no one really understands. Carers looking after a family member or friend who lives with chronic pain play an important role in making sure that a person’s chronic pain is managed correctly.
What is pain?
Pain is an unpleasant experience in the body. Chronic pain refers to how long the pain lasts rather than how severe it is. Acute pain is what many of us have experienced from time to time when we hurt ourselves, heal and the pain goes away.
Chronic pain is pain that lasts for more than three months, or in many cases, beyond normal healing time. An ongoing disease like arthritis, cancer, MS, or any sort of condition can cause chronic pain.
The longer the pain persists, the more complex it becomes. Even if a disease causes it, chronic pain involves multiple body systems beyond the nervous system. The endocrine (hormone) system, the gut, and other body systems start to become involved.
Pain management
Many people live with chronic pain 24/7. It can be exhausting and debilitating, impacting all parts of a person’s life. It takes a lot of courage and strength to manage the pain. The pain is in control and is unpredictable.
It’s important to work with a multidisciplinary team to help with pain management. Working with your GP, pharmacist, allied health, and mental health professional can help produce the best results for people living with chronic pain.
Find a team
It’s vital to build a team around you that you feel comfortable with and have confidence in. Your healthcare team should possess the following qualities:
- Knows about chronic pain and how to treat it.
- Believes you are in pain.
- Listens with care to your concerns.
- Encourages you to ask questions.
- Is comfortable when you disagree.
- Is willing to speak to your family or friends if you are not feeling well.
- Works with you to develop a pain management plan. The aim is to help reduce your pain and to set realistic goals so you can get back to important and enjoyable activities.
- It provides information about the risks and benefits of each suggested pain treatment.
- Tells you when he or she doesn’t know something about your pain problem or treatment.
Chiro & Sports Med
Our chiropractors at Chiro & Sports Med are committed to providing chiropractic solutions to address your unique needs, whether you are experiencing an irritated nerve, bulging disc, back pain, neck pain, knee pain, headaches, or even muscular tightness and tension. You may be searching for pain relief after an accident or experiencing an injury. Our mission is to help reduce or eliminate pain and to prevent future problems and injuries. Above all, we are here to improve your quality of life, well-being, and your ability to live an active healthy lifestyle.
If you would like to make an appointment with one of the chiropractors at Chiro & Sports Med simply call our office on 9817 2005. Or alternatively, you can simply Book Online.
