In 2023, a study found that over 21% of American adults (over 60 million people) experienced chronic pain. Sadly, a majority of them have no way of managing chronic pain or don’t even know where to start. Yet, they need to perform daily activities and accomplish their life goals while dealing with debilitating pain.
There are well-documented chronic pain interventions like medication, physical exercise, physical therapy, and alternative treatments like meditation and deep breathing techniques.
However, recent studies have shown that pain education can also play a key role in achieving chronic pain management goals. Helping clients reshape their mindset and perception of pain through education helps them experience lower pain intensity and increases their expectations of recovery.
What is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain refers to pain that lasts beyond the expected recovery time or lasts more than three months. The pain can be “on and off” or continuous, and it often interferes with normal activities, sleep, and mood leading to other health problems like anxiety and depression.
Causes of chronic pain include an accident, illness, surgery, or an ongoing condition like arthritis, fibromyalgia, or cancer. Some people, however, may experience pain without any obvious cause of the pain.
For some of these conditions without a cure, the individuals have to live with chronic pain for months, years, or probably their entire lives. Chronic pain education then becomes an integral part of learning how best to cope with pain and still live their best lives.
Components of Chronic Pain Education
- A better understanding of the condition or illness
- The anatomy and physiology of the affected body part
- Triggers that contribute to pain flare-ups
- Creating realistic recovery goals
- Role of alternative treatments
- Best self-management practices
- Crisis management
Importance of Chronic Pain Education
Chronic pain education can provide numerous benefits such as:
1. Understanding Pain Better
Getting more information about their condition helps a client make sense of the pain and why it occurs. This understanding not only helps them manage it better but also reduces their feelings of fear and anxiety.
2. Client Empowerment
An educated client can advocate for improved pain management legislation and policy measures. They may champion issues such as affordable care, inclusion of pain education in treatment guidelines, increased research funding, and social support.
3. Reduced Opioid Dependency
Learning how to combine safer chronic pain management practices with medication or alternative ways of coping with pain can help reduce opioid dependency. A study on the effect of pain education for postoperative knee arthroplasty found that the patients reduced opioid use by 50%.
4. Reduced In-Hospital Visits
Educating clients on the best chronic pain management practices helps reduce emergency room visits, in-hospital admissions, and overall cost of care.
5. Improved Quality of Life
Providing individuals with the knowledge and tools to manage chronic pain enables them to better cope with their condition and improves their overall quality of life.
Contact Custom Rehab PT for Comprehensive Chronic Pain Education
At Custom Rehab PT, we provide you with the most comprehensive chronic pain education you need to make informed decisions that allow you to live your best life. Schedule an appointment with us to get started.