Free PDFs
Four of my favorite pain management tools
Use the form to the right to receive all 4 PDFs at no charge
1. Pain Diary Template 2. The Fear Protocol 3. Technique for Releasing Difficult Emotions 4. Helping Family & Friends Understand Your Limits Your email is never shared, and you can opt out any time. |
|
PDF #1: Pain Diary Template
A Pain Diary is a daily record of the nature of the pain(s) you are experiencing, their levels, and duration.
A pain diary can be used to track the efficacy of medication and physical therapy and as a record to show your medical practitioners and therapists so you don't have to rely solely on your memory when you go to appointments. It also adds credibility to your reports of continued pain, and gives your practitioners more details and specificity, particularly when you note times and use descriptive words.
A pain diary can be used to track the efficacy of medication and physical therapy and as a record to show your medical practitioners and therapists so you don't have to rely solely on your memory when you go to appointments. It also adds credibility to your reports of continued pain, and gives your practitioners more details and specificity, particularly when you note times and use descriptive words.
PDF #2: The Fear Protocol
The Fear Protocol is a method I developed to deal with panic attacks at night (do you have those?) and general anxiety over health and money issues. I think anxiety and fear contribute to the longevity of pain, yet they are so much a part of our lives when we are dealing with pain, reduced mobility, debilitation, and money issues. I found this protocol to be very useful and would often run it over and over again until I could relax.
PDF #3: Technique for Releasing Difficult Emotions
This meditative technique can be used any time strong, difficult or unexpected emotions arise. I'm a believer that there is a great deal of emotional pain that accompanies chronic physical pain that is rarely acknowledged or addressed by our healers. This is one of the ways I used to help myself deal with the emotions of loneliness, shame, anger, loss, frustration, terror (again), and sadness.
PDF #4: Helping Family & Friends Understand Your Limits
Sometimes we find it difficult to clearly communicate the way pain is affecting us which can lead to misunderstanding, false expectations, and not getting the support we need. This document helps put some of these things into words for you.
MORE INTERNET RESOURCES
Blogs on Chronic Illness and Chronic Pain
Online Pain Communities
The Mighty
People in pain sharing their stories. Over 1 million readers.
People in pain sharing their stories. Over 1 million readers.
Pain News Network
Articles by sufferers and practitioners on every aspect of living with pain.
Articles by sufferers and practitioners on every aspect of living with pain.
The Tired Girl Society
Online membership site for women living with chronic illness. Well done monthly ezine for members.
Online membership site for women living with chronic illness. Well done monthly ezine for members.
Organizations
The American Chronic Pain Association
Some nice articles here which go beyond the typical relationship of practitioner-to-patient and take a more holistic view of the chronic pain sufferer as a person with emotional and psychological needs for expression as well.
Some nice articles here which go beyond the typical relationship of practitioner-to-patient and take a more holistic view of the chronic pain sufferer as a person with emotional and psychological needs for expression as well.
U.S. Pain Foundation
Committed to "connect, empower, and inform" people living in pain. They also advocate for the pain community.
Committed to "connect, empower, and inform" people living in pain. They also advocate for the pain community.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
MedicineNet
A simple explanation of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome with informative illustration.
A simple explanation of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome with informative illustration.
Cleveland Clinic
A more involved explanation of symptoms and the different levels of TOS
A more involved explanation of symptoms and the different levels of TOS
Medical or Therapeutic Help
HealthSoul
This website helps patients find appropriate care and includes reviews from patients. "We are a team of medical professionals, engineers and healthcare specialists. The goal of the company is to help consumers mitigate challenges they might face in finding the right healthcare facility or health insurance."
Infographic on CRPS
Excellent, clear, and informative graphic from Victoria Abbott-Fleming of Burning Nights, a website and non profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and supporting people with CRPS.
Excellent, clear, and informative graphic from Victoria Abbott-Fleming of Burning Nights, a website and non profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and supporting people with CRPS.
Migraines
This is an informational slide show on symptoms of various kinds of migraines, including those experienced by children and teens created by Diamond Headache Clinic, a migraine treatment center that advocates for alternative therapies.
Theravive
Theravive is a network of licensed therapists and psychologists committed to helping people receive the best mental health care available. Through building bridges with others, we continually strive to lower mental health stigma.
ARTICLES by Sarah
5 Things People in Pain Need More Than AdviceProHealth, July 6, 2018
|
Helping Others Understand Your Pain
ProHealth, April 14, 2018
|
The Cure for Giving Up (When it Seems Like Chronic Pain is Forever)ProHealth, November 1, 2017
|