Frequently asked questions

Q. Is it possible to loosen stiff, tight, painful muscles and joints?

A. It is possible to loosen many joints in the body, and lengthen and strengthen muscles, through gradual exercises and stretches (see Chapter 9). Learning relaxation skills helps the muscles to ‘let go’ again and become supple and flexible.

Q. If chronic pain cannot be relieved, then what?

A. It is possible to make day-to-day life more manageable despite the pain. In Part Two of this book, you will learn skills that will enable you to:

•   Feel less frustrated, worried and depressed

•   Be more physically active

•   Use medicines in helpful ways

•   Have more of a social life with family and friends

•   Become more independent in everyday activities

•   Manage setbacks confidently

•   Become better at planning, pacing and prioritizing activities

Q. Why is it difficult for doctors to understand my pain problem?

A. It is difficult for anyone to truly understand your pain experience. It can seem invisible. For doctors and physiotherapists, it is more difficult because they are unable to see, feel, hear, smell, touch or measure the pain itself using an instrument, a scan or an x-ray. For example, they can measure blood pressure or blood sugar levels but cannot measure or scan pain itself.

Q. Why don’t people take my pain seriously?

A. It can sometimes feel as if your pain is not being taken seriously. Most health professionals will believe that it is very distressing and disabling for you. Family, friends and health professionals will often be frustrated at not being able to change things for you. You could perhaps check whether they understand about the different pain systems. If not, you can use the information in this chapter. It may help them understand more about pain systems, the difficulties caused by chronic pain, how they affect you and ways to manage pain.

You could also write down a list of questions to ask your doctor or physiotherapist about the pain and your body’s pain systems.

CHAPTER SUMMARY

•   Chronic pain is a different pain system in the body from acute pain. This helps to explain why pain symptoms can continue for many months or years and be difficult to relieve.

•   There is no clear link between the level or amount of pain experienced and tissue damage or injury.

•   The Gate Control Theory of Pain helps to explain what factors can change the pain experience. Identifying what helps close your own ‘gates’ on pain messages can help you manage pain better. The euro-matrix theory begins to unravel some of the problems in the pain systems, which are complex but emphasize being in control of pain by using specific skills.

•   Muscles, joints and ligaments can lose their flexibility and become stiff and tight. These factors also help to explain why pain can sometimes persist.

3

Understanding investigations for pain

This chapter aims to help you:

•   Understand more about investigations for chronic pain, such as blood tests, x-rays and scans

•   Ask questions and talk about these investigations with your doctor

•   Make sense of test results, both positive and negative

•   Find ways to cope with waiting for investigations and results