How To Cope With Chronic Pain

Millions of us suffer with ongoing pain, and it can keep us from enjoying life, seeing our friends and even working. Luckily, experts agree there’s plenty you can do to ease the ouch – here’s our guide to saying goodbye to soreness, strain and discomfort.

- Laura Potter

Had an achy back, niggly shoulder or troublesome knee for a while? Are you just putting up with it, taking painkillers and trying not to make a fuss? Then you’re one of the 26 million people in the UK suffering with chronic pain. Acute pain comes and goes, but chronic pain persists for more than 12 weeks, or longer than the healing time should take, and it bothers almost half the population.

“People think something like policeman’s heel [where your heel is tender when you put your weight on it], or a shoulder tendon impingement [where your shoulder hurts when you put your hand up to comb your hair] is a minor thing they shouldn’t bother their doctor with, but these things can go on for months and if it stops somebody enjoying their life, they need help”, says Dr Hilary Jones. “By the time most people finally go to the GP, a lot of damage has been done.”

As well as specific pain and injuries, people also suffer with things like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. “With those conditions, muscles all over the body feel tired”, explains Dr Hilary. “Your sleep is affected, your mood can be low and it impacts your quality of life.”

If you’re always in pain, it can be hard to enjoy life, seeing friends and family can feel like a big effort and your world can shrink – but it doesn’t have to be that way. There’s plenty you can do to feel like yourself again.

UNDERSTAND WHAT’S WRONG