Health Plan of San Joaquin | Focus Your Health | Summer 2018

4 Focus Your Health Take control of chronic pain As players on the stage of life, we sometimes get handed scripts we aren’t expecting. That’s certainly true when chronic pain takes a leading role in everyday living. However, you have the power to limit the part pain plays in your life. You can direct the action in four pain- management acts: Gather information You probably already know plenty about chronic pain. You may be aware that chronic pain: ■ ■ Is any pain that lasts six months or longer ■ ■ Has many causes and can be hard to treat ■ ■ Interferes with your ability to enjoy life But do you know how many types of treatments are available? Do you know which health care professionals can help you? The more you know, the closer you come to bringing down the curtain on pain. Some of the information you need is included here. Meet with your doctor He or she will first help determine the cause of your pain. They may prescribe imaging tests or electrodiagnostic procedures. You may also be referred to a pain specialist for further evaluation. Finding a specific cause for your pain will help determine your treatment. In some cases, no cause will be found. This may be very frustrating, but it doesn’t take treatment out of the story line. Create a plan A cast of health care professionals will come together to help you put a strategy in place. Your script for pain management may draw upon a variety of treatment options, including one or more of the following: ■ ■ Medication ■ ■ Acupuncture ■ ■ Physical therapy and rehabilitation ■ ■ Biofeedback and electrical stimulation ■ ■ Relaxation techniques ■ ■ Chiropractic care Doctors have come to understand that chronic pain is not just physical. It has psychological aspects as well. That’s why cognitive behavior therapy, antidepressants and general counseling are recommended as supporting players in a pain control plan. Follow-through Making progress means committing to your plan and Act One Act Two Act Three Act Four