Talking About Chronic Pain
Bob Kerns, PhD, Co-Director for the Pain Management Collaboratory, encourages people with chronic pain to discuss their symptoms with their providers. He offers tips on what to think about and how to prepare for the conversation(s). Ultimately, the hope is that a discussion leads to a plan for pain management and a reduction in the levels of pain experienced by the individual.
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The Value of Studying Non-Pharmacological Therapies for Pain Management
(Video) Robert Kerns, PhD, discusses alternative therapies for chronic pain management and the importance of research to develop guidelines for their use.
Talking Points: Preparing for a Provider Visit
It is important to honestly and openly share your experiences with chronic pain with your provider(s). You’ll want to be prepared for a series of questions that providers are likely to ask. Think about the following items, and perhaps take notes about your pain experience for a few weeks prior to the appointment.
Recommendations for Opioid Disposal
Drs. Will Becker and Ben Oldfield address the confusion around opioid disposal and suggest options for disposal in this video and in their journal review of the media’s coverage of opioid disposal methods.
Developing a Plan for Chronic Pain Relief
The experience of chronic pain is more than just the pain itself. Pain can affect how a participates in life, so an optimal pain management plan is multifaceted and tailored to the individual.
