Back on Track
Time to Get
Active!
Are you tired of your chronic pain controlling you & consuming
everything that you do? It's time to figure out a game plan to reclaim your
life & get active again! First:
- Do you need a new doctor?
- Do you need a new doctor but don't know which kind? Read What types of Doctors Treat Chronic Pain?
- Have you tried any alternative therapies?
Steps to Reclaiming Your Life & Getting Some Pain Relief!
Week 1:
1. Educate yourself: Read as
much as you can about chronic pain. There is a lot of information on this site
about chronic back & neck pain. Use the Google Custom Search at
the top of this page to search for the information you are seeking.
2. Practice the Art of Distraction:
Some examples of distractions include: Watching TV, laughing with friends, reading, etc. You will find that these distractions help decrease your pain for awhile.
3. Follow the steps & suggestions in Immediate Relief: A Reality?
4. Start a Pain Journal
Tracking your pain is very important (when the pain is worst for you, what you are doing, etc.). You also want to write down when you are taking pain medication(s) that give you relief from your chronic pain. Some days you may find, by writing it down, that you actually have forgotten or have waited too long to take your meds.
To Track Your Pain:
- Buy a notebook or journal.
- Go to ReliefInSite.com,an online tool to track your pain and medicines. A free version is available & you no longer will have to worry about mis-placing your notebook or journal.
Week 2:
1. Make an appointment with a:
Pain Management Specialist (private)
Pain Clinic
Massage Therapist or
Acupunturist
It is usually easier to get an appointment with a private pain management specialist, who is not part of a pain clinic.
However, either way many times you can't get see either of these without a
referral from you family doctor or primary care doctor. It can
take 2-4 weeks to get into a Pain Clinic and/or a Pain Management
Specialist.
2. Fill out the necessary paperwork, Gather up your x-rays, MRI scans
& any other diagnostic tests that you have had and get them to the doctor
with whom you made the appointment.
3. Exercise: You may
want to start a very simple exercise program, even if that means walking 10
minutes a day. The important thing is to get up and get moving. Do
NOT do anything that hurts. When in doubt do NOT do any exercise until you
have talked with your doctor.
4. Continue with the "3 in 1"
technique in Immediate Relief: A Reality?
& practice the "Art of Distraction".
5. Write in your pain
journal at least once a day or login to ReliefInSite.com at least once a day.
Week 3:
1. Call
your new doctor's office and make sure that they have everything they requested
from you. Most times the information will be sent from other doctor's,
clinic's, hospitals, etc.
2. Prepare a list of questions for your new doctor.
3. Review your pain
journal.
4. Continue with steps 4-6 above.
|
