One in three people (100M+) in the United States is affected by a condition that causes chronic pain. The cost to the American public of chronic pain is $635B in lost productivity, lost wages, medical fees and doctor’s fees.
As a chronic pain patient, pain educator, author of seven books on chronic pain, speaker, and cheerleader of hope. I have an action plan to help those in chronic pain and their caregivers.
Patients need to be chief of staff of their medical condition – become experts on the illness(es)
Steps that a patient can do to head in the right direction for pain relief
- Speak up! You are your best advocate and have a right to timely and effective care.
- Know your pain. Know the options available and educate yourself about available treatment options for your particular condition.
- Reach out and seek out. Bring a caretaker, relative, or friend to your appointments so they can take notes and serve as an objective witness to your issues, accept assistance from others and investigate resources in our community or online.
- Take a moment to listen to your body’s response to stress and anxiety. Maintain health habits and stay active to the best of your ability. Make a habit of taking time daily for deep breathing exercises to help ease your pain.
How to live life daily – create an oasis
- Pace your activities
- Keep a journal of what makes you feel better/worse
- Keep items accessible around the house (ex. Pills in the same location, take them at the same time each day, pillows/blankets, and other tools)
- Stretching and relaxation techniques
- Create a support system that is positive and uplifting.
To help make a positive impact for the pain community, this month, I will be participating at (*Subject to changes based on health):
AZ Diamondbacks Game – Sept 3.
WPA Webinar – Sept 5.
PainWeek – Sept 7-10.
Global Genes – Sept 12-15.
iPain Webinar for Patient Safety Day – Sept 17.
HealtheVoices Conference – Sept 30 to Oct 2.
About the Author:
Barby Ingle is a chronic pain educator, patient advocate, and president of the International Pain Foundation, as well as a motivational speaker and bestselling author on pain topics. She has been a pain patient since developing endometriosis in 1997 and reflex sympathetic dystrophy in 2002. Barby is the co-creator of the Music Moves Awareness project for the International Pain Foundation, including the newly released song Hope is True by iPain.
Barby graduated from George Mason University in 1994 with a degree in Social Psychology and a minor in dance. She uses her skills from cheerleading to inspire and motivate patients to be self-advocates and offers tips and tools for patients, caretakers, and healthcare professionals. Ingle has also served as a national speaker, author of the Cheertec Coaches’ Handbook; six-part DVD Series on cheerleading, RSD in Me!, ReMission Possible; Yours if You Chose to Accept It, Real Love & Good Sex, Aunt Barby’s Invisible Endless Owie, and The Pain Code.
Call: 480-882-1342 or check out International Pain Foundation for more information.
