What We've Learned.. American Chronic Pain Assoc.

In 30 years of helping each other, we’ve learned a lot. Here is a bit of that wisdom:

We need the support of others who experience and understand chronic pain.
Recognizing emotions helps us to understand ourselves.
While our pain is certainly not all in our heads, attitudes and expectations do make a difference.
Learning how to relax is essential. It helps prevent tension and redirects our attention on to other things we have some control over.
Staying active, within realistic limits, can help us remain flexible and strong and reduce our sense of suffering.
It is important to set realistic goals and chart our progress toward them.
Chronic pain not only involves the person with pain, but the family as well.
Hearing others talk of similar feelings and experiences caused by pain reduces our isolation.
There are no wrong feelings.
Half the battle is won when you begin to help yourself.

What We've Learned.. American Chronic Pain Assoc. | Arthritis Information