Going back to work Going back to work after a painful injury or illness can be exciting and scary. Dealing with pain can be a process, and going back to work is often a process as well. While you may be able to do your job again, you can’t expect to jump right in as… Read more »
Tag: chronic pain
When acute pain becomes chronic
Acute pain vs. chronic pain Acute pain is usually short-lived (less than a month), and has a specific cause, such as having had oral surgery or spraining an ankle. Acute pain commonly goes away when the original cause of the pain is no longer present or when the healing takes place. Chronic pain, however, may… Read more »
My journey with pain, children, gardening, and spirituality
Contributed by: Sue Reviewed by: Kevin L. Zacharoff, MD, February 2013 When you’re hurting physically or emotionally, it can be hard to find meaning and purpose in everyday life. You might ask yourself, “Why me? Why now? There’s so much I want to do, but the pain is all I can think about.” Meet Sue. She’s… Read more »
Tips for getting around in the winter
Contributed by: Michael Reviewed by: Jonas I. Bromberg, Psy.D. Living with chronic pain is a daily challenge. Your doctors and other healthcare providers can help you with medicines, physical therapy, and other treatments. But for coping with everyday life, the best advice often comes from other people like yourself—people with chronic pain. Snow can be… Read more »
Spirituality, religion, and chronic pain: Making a difference in non-traditional ways
A life that’s totally free of chronic pain is a great goal. But for some people, that goal is just out of reach. So if medication and other doctor-recommended treatments haven’t removed all of your pain, what’s left to bring comfort? For many people, “what’s left” has been part of their lives all along –… Read more »
Enjoy what you love this holiday season
Contributed by: Cindy Reviewed by: Jonas I. Bromberg, Psy.D. Living with chronic pain is a daily challenge. Your doctors and other healthcare providers can help you with medicines, physical therapy, and other treatments. But for coping with everyday life, the best advice often comes from other people like yourself—people with chronic pain. For many of… Read more »
Day to day living with difficult pain
Contributed by: Julianne Reviewed by: Evelyn Corsini, MSW, July 2012 Julianne is a 51 year old woman who lives in Florida. Before an accidental fall she worked as a nurse. I live in Florida and was injured 13 years ago at work. I am an RN and fell down a flight of cement stairs and… Read more »
It might not be safe to drive WITHOUT your pain medicine
Contributed by: Sue Reviewed by: Evelyn Corsini, MSW, July 2012 Sue is a 52-year-old woman who lives in Colorado. She has had chronic pain for 8 years due to fibromyalgia, back pain, neuropathy, and arthritis. She finds every day a challenge. I learned that a person with chronic pain should not drive when not taking medication to… Read more »
What I do to lessen the impact of pain on my mood
Contributed by: Jan Reviewed by: Evelyn Corsini, MSW, May 2012 Jan is a 50 year old divorced woman with two grown sons and one grandchild. She is from the Hampshire area of the United Kingdom. Since a fall in 2009, I have gone downhill pretty quick. I was medically retired in October 2011. I have… Read more »
Being realistic when dealing with pain management doctors
Contributed by: Lori Reviewed by: Evelyn Corsini, MSW, May 2012 Lori is 48 years old and lives in Massachusetts with her husband. She worked in biotechnology and law enforcement for over 20 years but is unable to work now due to unpredictable pain. Her chronic pain is a result of rare genetic anomalies, worsened by… Read more »