What is persistent or chronic pain?

Generally, persistent pain (often referred to as chronic pain) is pain that has lasted for more than three months, or extends beyond normal healing time for an injury. Unlike acute pain, the mechanisms underlying the cause of chronic pain are often difficult to determine and difficult to treat.

What is a pain management program?

It is a structured treatment approach aimed at teaching people how to manage their pain more effectively. Most often conducted in a group setting, it involves teaching new skills and techniques to minimise the impact that pain has on someone's life. A pain management program should be run by a team of skilled health professionals who specialise in pain.

What is a biopsychosocial model?

It looks at the physical, psychological and social impacts on pain and disability. Pain management programs should be based on this model, as it focuses on assessing and improving function in each of these areas.

What is a multidisciplinary team (multidisciplinary approach)?

This simply means that patients will be seen by a team of health professionals who specialise in pain - including (but not limited to) a pain management co-ordinator, pain specialist, clinical psychologist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, clinical nurse and social worker.

The team works together to help each patient develop a positive pain management plan to improve their physical, psychological and social functioning.

Current research suggests that a multidisciplinary approach, based on a biopsychosocial method, is the best method of managing persistent pain, to help the patient experience improved function and quality of life. 

How can an occupational therapist help me if I have persistent pain?

Occupational therapists assist people to gain or regain the skills essential for a happy, safe and meaningful existence. They are skilled in functional assessment and rehabilitation, promoting independence in tasks at home, work and leisure. 

Occupational therapists work with people who have chronic pain to help them achieve goals and outcomes that are important to them and their lifestyle, despite their limitations (Australian Association of Occupational Therapy). 

How can a physiotherapist help me if I have persistent pain?

Physiotherapists are concerned with helping people to improve their physical functioning. They are skilled in observing and assessing movement and overall physical condition, analysing and identifying problems, and developing programs to assist each person to reach their active goals (Australian Physiotherapy Association).

Physiotherapists work with people who have chronic pain to help them achieve physical outcomes that are important to them, so they may enjoy a more active and fulfilling lifestyle.

 How can a psychologist help me if I have persistent pain?

 Psychologists are concerned with the complex interaction of cognitive, behavioural, emotional and physiological factors that make up a person's experience. They are skilled in assessing psychological functioning, and teaching skills and strategies to improve everyday life.

 The experience of pain is not a purely physical phenomenon. Psychological and emotional factors play a big role. Psychologists work with people who have chronic pain to provide cognitive/behavioural treatment to assist with adjustment and adaptation, along with positive pain management strategies to help with coping.   

How can a nurse help me if I have persistent pain?

 Nurses take on a wide and varied role in different healthcare settings, quite often working with patients who have chronic pain. Skilled in many kinds of medical care, nurses are primarily concerned with promoting health and meeting each patient's general nursing care needs.

 In addition to general medical monitoring, nurses will often work with people who have chronic pain to help supervise and manage their pain medication usage, and promote health and wellbeing through lifestyle education and support. 

How can working in a group help me?

At first, many people may dislike the idea of taking part in a group. The fear of self-disclosure, finding themselves in an embarrassing situation or just the anxiety of sharing with strangers seems overwhelming. It's a normal first reaction.

After a couple of days, however, most people agree they are pleased they overcame their initial apprehensions. They can see real benefits in the group process.

Group approaches to therapy have proven to be very useful in the treatment of persistent pain. The group process can assist people who feel isolated and alone, as they come to realise that others feel the same and are experiencing similar problems. The support and encouragement of the group, together with the skills acquired through the treating clinician, help patients to manage their pain better.

Additionally, individual sessions are also offered as required, to help patients work towards their goals and identify relevant problem areas that need to be addressed.

Useful Links

Chronic Pain Australia

www.thepainproject.org/cpa/index.php 

Australian Pain Management Association (APMA)

www.painmanagement.org.au

Australian Pain Society

  www.apsoc.org.au  

International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)

 www.iasp-pain.org