Distracting yourself from pain is a valid and effective pain management tool. Focusing on your pain all day and night can be extremely distressing. Finding moments where you can distract yourself from the pain can help you find momentary relief.  Professionals recommend using distraction as a pain management tool; however, only if it’s a healthy…

If you have chronic pain, you’ve likely had tai chi suggested to you as a low impact exercise. Indeed, folks who practice Tai Chi swear by it as a great, safe way to get moving and clear their mind. But what are the benefits of tai chi for folks with chronic pain, and why does…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Brain fog is a word that was created by patients to describe the cognitive effects of chronic illness; for many, the causes are unclear and it is hard to cope with.  The COVID-19 pandemic led to more people experiencing chronic fatigue and other persistent symptoms. Consequently, the term “brain fog” spiked in popularity. But, what…

If you experience back pain, you’re not alone. Back pain is extremely common – about 80% of people will get back pain in their lifetime. But what causes back pain? There are several reasons that someone may develop back pain, acute or chronic. In this article, we will explore five common causes of back pain.  Common…

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…