NURTURING

Chronic pain is pain that has been present for longer than 3 months, causes significant emotional distress and interferes with daily life and activities.​

Pain can be a symptom of an underlying injury or disease, or it can be a disease on its own. It is unpleasant, interrupts your life and makes you seek help. It is deeply personal and always real.​

Chronic pain is multifactorial, meaning that there are contributions from the body tissues, psychological components, occupational, spiritual and social factors that combine to form your unique pain experience. ​

The first step to treating your pain is working out why you have pain - what is causing it (getting a diagnosis) and what factors might be contributing. The next step is exploring what treatments might work?​

Treating pain effectively is about managing the entire person – understanding how your genetics, life experiences, physical and emotional capacity, your environment and what you do every day, impacts on your pain. ​

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Nurturing the whole person, not just the condition.

Healthcare is changing. In the past, doctors were the experts, providing treatments and solutions to patients. At PAIN, we understand that you, with your lived experience of your pain, are the expert on your body and your health. We follow an approach where your active participation in your own care is essential for recovery – your doctors and therapists are guides along this journey.

Chronic pain is a daily challenge that affects millions of people in South Africa. An often overlooked but powerful strategy is nurturing through self-care.

Nurturing through self-care allows you to take an active role in your healing journey.

Practices like mindfulness, relaxation techniques, gentle movement, and ensuring you get enough, good quality sleep, are all essential components of this approach.

Nurturing your body, mind and soul through making lifestyle changes helps break the cycle of frustration, helplessness, and exhaustion that can come with long-term pain conditions. It’s a way of honouring your body and acknowledging that you deserve compassion, and care. Nurturing through self-management becomes a transformative practice that honours your courage and acknowledges how far you’ve come...even if you have only taken the first step!