What is persistent pain and pain self-care?

By now, you will have some understanding that the PROMPPT research programme aims to improve care for patients living with persistent pain. To achieve this aim we think it is important for pharmacists to have a broad understanding of what pain is and what we mean by persistent pain.

This lesson outlines what pain is, what we mean by persistent pain, and why it is important to consider the psychology of pain when patients consult with you. The lesson finishes with some background information on self-care strategies that can be useful for people living with pain.

What is pain?

Watch the video below to find out about pain, persistent pain and why self-care is important.

Self-care strategies for pain

I am the driver of pain management… think of our life as a bus journey now my pain sits in the back of the bus of life that I now drive … Pain used to drive that bus.

Participant from a Q-PROMPPT participant about their thoughts on self-care

Supporting patients to self-care (or self-management) for persistent pain is often a better way forwards than pursuing medical treatments such as pain medicines and injections. We will use the term self-care throughout this training because patients have told us they prefer this term to self-management.

The following presentation will provide you with some background on self-care strategies that are useful for people living with pain.

Now listen to Louise’s story of living with pain whilst taking regular opioid medicines and then her shift to self-care strategies such as getting active has helped her to live with pain.