Setting Goals for Managing Chronic Pain

person holding on red pen while writing on book

Goals provide purpose and drive in our lives. Can you think of a goal you once had and how it felt to achieve that goal? It most likely felt great. When you think of goals, the first thing that usually comes to mind is someone trying to reach a fitness goal or land their dream…

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How To Benefit from Online Health Communities

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Online health communities are popular for several reasons, but how can they benefit you? Recently, research has explored how online communities, centered around common health goals or diseases, can help their members. Read on to discover how you can use these communities to your advantage. As humans, we’re programmed to seek community. With the introduction…

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Easy Anti-Inflammatory Meal Planning For Chronic Pain

six glass jars full over fruits & overnight oats sitting on a white marble surface

The anti-inflammatory diet is often recommended for people with chronic pain because it can reduce painful inflammation. However, it can be challenging to keep up with as the anti-inflammatory diet involves a lot of cooking and food prep that might be strenuous. When you’re in pain, spending 10 or more hours cooking in the kitchen…

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Communicating with your Doctor: Self-Advocacy

person holding stethoscope up to brown teddy bear

Introduction: Why is communication with your doctor important? Communicating with your doctor is a special skill. The experience of leaving a doctor’s appointment feeling unheard, dismissed, and/or disappointed is universal among most people living with chronic pain. If you’ve ever felt like your doctor didn’t believe you or take you seriously when discussing your pain,…

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Acute Vs Chronic Pain – What’s the Difference?

ouch sign

You’ve probably heard the words “acute” and “chronic” pain before – but what is the difference between acute and chronic pain? The differences extend beyond how long the pain persists. Length of pain is a factor; however, there are more important differences. We must consider how each type of pain can affect someone’s quality of…

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What causes painful Fibromyalgia flare ups?

woman lying on bed

What is a Fibromyalgia Flare Up? Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that affects several systems in the body, and causes widespread pain. It is associated with a wide range of daily symptoms, from fatigue to sleep disturbances. This article will explore what causes fibromyalgia flare ups and how someone dealing with a flare up can…

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How can Guided Imagery Benefit People with Chronic Pain?

Woman Doing Yoga Beside her Dog closing her eyes as she meditates cross legged

Introduction Guided imagery is a meditative practice that can induce relaxation and calm the mind. It is used as a tool to ease stress and anxiety, but many practitioners suggest that guided imagery can be beneficial for people with chronic pain, too.  In this article, we’ll explore what guided imagery is and how it can…

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How to explain invisible illness to a healthy person

Woman Leaning on a Man

What is an invisible illness? Invisible illness is when you cannot tell that someone has a chronic illness at first glance. For that reason, invisible illnesses are defined from the perspective of the general public. However, this does not make them any less serious than other, more visible, conditions. A person’s condition may be invisible…

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Can mindfulness meditation help people with chronic pain?

mindfulness printed paper near window

Mindfulness meditation is another practice that folks with chronic pain hear about a lot, from friends, strangers, and doctors. If your healthcare provider has suggested mindfulness as an approach to coping with chronic pain, it may seem like a dismissal. However, there is tons of research to support that mindfulness can benefit folks with persistent…

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