These are all suggestions from people who have had to live with chronic pain a long time.

And an really good article from Wash U. About Life with arthritis. Anything you would like to add, would be most appreciated!!

In 20 years of helping each other, we’ve learned a lot. Here is a bit of that wisdom:

We need the support of others who experience and understand chronic pain.

Recognizing emotions helps us to understand ourselves.

While our pain is certainly not all in our heads, attitudes and expectations do make a difference.

Learning how to relax is essential. It helps prevent tension and redirects our attention on to things we have some control over.

Staying active, within realistic limits, can help us remain flexible and strong and reduce our sense of suffering.

It is important to set realistic goals and chart our progress toward them.

Chronic pain not only involves the person with pain but the family as well.

Hearing others talk of similar feelings and experiences caused by pain reduces our isolation.

There are no wrong feelings.

Half the battle is won when you begin to help yourself.

People with chronic pain are often “people pleasers.” We find it hard to express our needs and require that others respect them. And when our needs are not met, tension is increased and our pain seems worse.

But you do have the same basic rights that you grant to others. You have the right to:

1. Act in a way that promotes dignity and self-respect.

2. Be treated with respect.

3. Make mistakes.

4. Do less than you are humanly capable of doing.

5. Change your mind.

6. Ask for what you want.

7. Take time to slow down and think before you act.

8. Ask for information.

9. Ask for help or assistance.

10. Feel good about yourself.

11. Disagree.

12. Not have to explain everything you do and think.

13. Say "no" and not feel guilty.

14. Ask why.

15. Be listened to and taken seriously when expressing your feelings.

Read and reread these rights so that you not only know them by heart, but so that they become part of your daily life.

Brought to you by:
The ACPA , PO Box 850, Rocklin, CA 95677
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: (916) 632-0922
Fax: (916) 632-3208
http://www.theacpa.org/