WHAT IS PAIN SELF MANAGEMENT?
Pain self-management is a core part of care at PAIN.
Self-management means learning practical skills that help you reduce the impact of pain on your daily life, improve function, and maintain long-term health. Rather than relying on a single treatment or provider, self-management places you at the centre of your care, supported by an interdisciplinary team.
Your team will guide you in developing strategies that are realistic, sustainable, and tailored to your condition, goals, and lifestyle. These strategies work alongside medical and rehabilitative treatments to support long-term outcomes.
Here are some common features of pain self-management:
1. Education
Understanding how pain works, what contributes to your symptoms, and how factors such as stress, mood, sleep, and activity influence pain is a critical first step. Education helps reduce fear and uncertainty and allows you to make informed decisions about your care.
Pain education also focuses on what you can do day to day to manage your condition more effectively and confidently.
2. Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle factors play a major role in chronic pain. Regular physical activity, appropriate nutrition, adequate sleep, and stress regulation all influence inflammation, nervous system sensitivity, and recovery.
Lifestyle changes do not need to be extreme to be effective. Small, consistent adjustments—guided by your care team—often lead to meaningful improvements over time.
3. Self-Care Strategies
Lifestyle factors play a major role in chronic pain. Regular physical activity, appropriate nutrition, adequate sleep, and stress regulation all influence inflammation, nervous system sensitivity, and recovery.
Lifestyle changes do not need to be extreme to be effective. Small, consistent adjustments—guided by your care team—often lead to meaningful improvements over time.
4. Medication Management
Medication can play an important role in chronic pain management, particularly when used as part of a broader treatment plan. The choice of medication depends on the type of pain, the underlying condition, and individual health factors.
Where appropriate, treatment often prioritises non-opioid options such as paracetamol, anti-inflammatory medicines, or adjuvant medications that target specific pain mechanisms. Your healthcare provider will guide you on appropriate use, duration, benefits, and risks.
5. Support
Living with chronic pain can be isolating. Support from others—whether family members, peers, support groups, or healthcare professionals—can significantly improve coping and resilience.
Support also includes learning emotional regulation skills and addressing the psychological impact of persistent pain as part of comprehensive care.
WHO WOULD DO SELF-MANAGEMENT?
You.
Pain self-management programmes are usually facilitated by appropriately registered healthcare professionals, such as medical practitioners, physiotherapists, or occupational therapists, depending on the individual’s needs and diagnosis.
The programme is tailored to your individual needs, abilities, and goals.
Self-management is suitable for anyone living with persistent pain and can be adapted across different conditions, ages, and levels of ability. You remain supported—but you are the active driver of your long-term health.