More Americans suffer from chronic pain than from diabetes, stroke, coronary disease and cancer combined, according to the National Academy of Science’s Institute of Medicine. The suffering takes many forms, as more than 70 percent of those reporting chronic pain indicate that depression, poor concentration and/or low energy are among the effects.
Traditionally, the medical approach to pain has been to identify and treat the cause. However, a recent report from the Institute of Medicine shows chronic pain can outlast the illness or injury that caused it, altering the nervous system so that pain – persistent and amplified — becomes its own disease.
Research also has shown that individuals dealing with chronic pain can benefit from strategies that help them manage it. One of the more successful programs, The Chronic Pain Self Management Program (CPSMS), is a six-week interactive program that will be offered at the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton’s Pain Center beginning Thursday, September 19. The program is provided free of charge, with the optional purchase of a workbook for $20.
Taught by Barbara V. Jarrell, coordinator for the Mid-Shore Chronic Disease Self Management Program, the course includes techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, isolation, and poor sleep; appropriate exercise; appropriate use of medications; effective communication techniques; nutrition; pacing activity and rest; and how to evaluate new treatments.
According to Cathy Asche, BSN, RN-BC, clinical coordinator for UM Shore Regional Health’s Pain Center, CMSP was first developed in Canada in the mid 1990s, and subsequently adapted and refined by the staff of Stanford’s Patient Education Center. Research studies conducted by clinics where CMSP has been provided have shown that overall, compared to patients who have not taken the program, those who have report not only less pain and dependence on others, but more vitality or energy, higher activity levels, improved mental health, and greater overall satisfaction with life.
“It’s important to note that CPMSP program is designed to enhance and complement rather than replace other pain treatment programs, says Asche. “The goal is help people dealing with pain coordinate and manage various aspects of their health, which will enable them to be more active in their lives.”
Advance registration for the CPMSP is required due to limited class size. For information about the course, including registration, contact Barbara V. Jarrell, 410-310-2331.
Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article
We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.