Power Over Pain
September is National Pain Awareness month. The Power Over Pain Action Network, a project of the American Pain Foundation, issued this letter to people in pain:
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“On any given day, more people suffer from pain than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. Chances are you know someone living in pain – maybe it’s you. Unfortunately, too many in pain suffer needlessly. .The good news is that with proper pain management, most pain can be greatly eased. You stand the best chance of having your pain properly assessed and treated when you take an active role in seeking treatment and communicating very specifically about your pain and its impact on your quality of life. Become informed and learn all you can about your health problem, your pain, pain management options, and the types of healthcare providers who specialize in pain. Visit your local library, search the Internet, and talk to people you know who are living with pain. Reference libraries will often do Internet searches for you. . If you are not satisfied with your pain care, don’t give up. Be direct; ask your healthcare provider if he or she is comfortable helping you manage your pain, and working as a partner in developing a pain management plan. If the answer is “no”, ask for a referral to a pain specialist, or find another healthcare provider. When you find someone willing to treat your pain, make sure to follow their advice on exercise, diet and soothing activities. Take your medication as directed and give it time to work. Be persistent and don’t give up hope. You can have power over your pain.” -
You can have power over your pain. What a great message, and one that CureTogether wholeheartedly supports. People coming together, learning from each other, contributing to research, feeling better, helping to find cures. For everyone out there in pain today, we are thinking of you.
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September 25th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I am posting a notice on my blog for people who suffer with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome about September being National Pain Awareness month. May you get all of the support that you need. Keep up the great work!
Thank you,
Cinda Crawford
Host of the Health Matters Show