What We Have Learned
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.