Understanding Chronic Pain and How to Manage It
According to the CDC, 21% of adults in the United States, or nearly 51.6 million people, live with a chronic pain condition. This can impact your ability to work, attend school, participate in social outings and enjoy hobbies. Losing engagement in these activities can harm your mental health and worsen pain.
The Complex Nature of Pain
Pain is a multi-faceted experience influenced by biological, psychological and social factors. Managing persistent pain requires a personalized care plan. Your care team might include a primary care physician, physical or occupational therapist, massage therapist, psychotherapist, or other specialty provider. The treatment plan often involves multiple approaches such as medications, exercises, education, braces, assistive devices and rest.
Your Role in Managing Pain
You play a crucial role in your care plan. Understanding pain triggers and developing coping strategies can help you control your chronic pain. COMPASS is a group class at GHC for individuals struggling with daily tasks due to ongoing pain. This class covers topics that can improve your control over your pain and reduce its impact on your life. Each class focuses on a different topic:
Orientation to Neuroscience: Understand how the body and brain respond to stress and its impact on pain perception.
Modifiable Factors: Identify which physical aspects are in your control and how they can improve your pain experience.
Pain Re-framing: Define pain and its protective role in our lives.
Advocating: Empower yourself to know that you are in control, and your healthcare team should be your partners.
Social Support: Develop your support system for managing chronic pain symptoms.
Join Our COMPASS Class
Our classes are taught by Physical and Occupational Therapists and meet every other week for six sessions. Each session lasts 90 minutes and includes education, group activities, and discussion time. This class is designed for adults (18 years and older) and is limited to 12 participants. Learn more about this class and sign up by clicking here.
Looking to get back into physical activity after an injury, or learning about safe body mechanics to prevent injuries? Check out our physical therapy and occupational therapy classes. Join our GHC-SCW physical and occupational therapists and other personnel to learn the best evidence for managing current conditions that can impact mobility and get back to the activities you love.
