Resources for Managing Chronic Pain

Dealing with chronic pain can take a huge toll on your physical and emotional health, but there are a variety of resources to help you achieve better pain management.

Whether it's your back, your knee, your shoulder, or any other part of your body, chronic pain may affect much more than just that one area. If you feel there's never any escape or relief, the pain will begin to weigh on your whole body and on your emotional health. Finding good support for dealing with chronic pain is an important part of pain management; these resources can help.

Pain Management: Organizations

Many national organizations offer informative Web sites with helpful advice and the latest developments in pain management:

National Pain Foundation. This non-profit organization is a great place to start your research on dealing with chronic pain. Their Web site offers information that's neatly organized and easy to surf. Find out about diseases and conditions that cause pain, what it's like to live with chronic pain, and pain management options; use the search tool to find a pain management expert in your area.

American Academy of Pain Management. The largest pain organization in the United States, AAPM provides information to help people with chronic pain locate a pain management specialist and pain management program in their area. There are also links to a number of other organizations of interest to those experiencing chronic pain.

American Chronic Pain Society. This group encourages peer and family support for those living with chronic pain. Online resources include a consumer guide to pain medication, a relaxation guide, and a section on fibromyalgia; much of the information is presented through videos.

American Pain Association. This organization is a good resource for learning about some of the newest pain management options, many of which involve minimal or no surgery. You can also contact them via e-mail if you have specific questions about any pain management procedures listed.

American Pain Society. Use this site to get a list of chronic pain and pain management organizations and their contact information and to read online articles from their publication, The Journal of Pain.

Pain Management: Further Reading

If you would like an informative book to help educate yourself about chronic pain — what causes it, how to cope with it, and new pain management techniques, consider this recommended reading from the American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA):

Mastering Pain: A Twelve Step Program for Coping With Chronic Pain by Dr. Richard A. Sternbach teaches people with chronic pain how to modify behaviors and attitudes for better pain management and improved quality of life.

Coping With Illness by Helen Garvy discusses the challenges posed by living with a chronic illness and offers suggestions on how to manage a chronic condition.

Relief From Back Pain by C. David Tollison explains how back pain occurs and how it affects your life. The book also gives some treatment options and ways to reduce back pain.

The ACPA’s complete reading list includes books on a number of specific conditions, from fibromyalgia to migraines, as well as on the physical and emotional effects of chronic pain.

Pain Management: Support Groups

Finding a support group, either online or in your area, for people dealing with chronic pain can be a great resource for you. Many of the pain organizations listed above for host or recommend groups. For instance, The National Pain Foundation offers information about support groups, including how one can be of help to you and how to find one, under the "Living" tab on their Web site. There you will also see a long list of support groups and the names of other organizations that offer support to help people dealing with chronic pain.

Chronic pain can leave you feeling isolated and frustrated. These organizations and the resources they provide will remind you that you are not alone, and that there is help available.

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