Self-management refers to a person’s ability to manage their pain symptoms and treatment as well as the physical, emotional and social consequences and life-style changes caused by chronic pain.

Self-management includes education on acute vs. chronic pain, managing stress and pain, and appropriate use of medications. Self-management focuses on stress reduction, cognitive restructuring, behavioral modification, sleep improvement, self-confidence, and dealing with pain flare-ups.

Methods of supporting the self-management of your pain include:

• Giving you information about your pain condition
• Showing you how to best use your pain medication
• Helping you manage symptoms that may include:
  • Fatigue
  • Insomnia
  • Pain-flare ups
  • Provoking and aggravating factors
• Helping you manage the psychological consequences of chronic pain like:
  • Anxiety
  • Coping
  • Depression
  • Disease acceptance
  • Problem solving
  • Stress
• Improving your life-style:
  • Exercise
  • Exercise motivation/overcoming barriers to exercise adherence
  • Holidays
  • Leisure activities
  • Nutrition and diet
  • Setting goals
  • Smoking cessation
• Providing you with social support where needed:
  • Family support
  • Relationships with family and peers
• Improving your self-confidence:
  • Assertiveness
  • Communication strategies (e.g. with doctors)
  • Decision making