The first and perhaps most surprising thing you need to know about using doctors is that most receive very little if any formal training in the management of pain. While excellent training programs in pain management exist, they are relatively … Continue reading →
The ideal chronic pain physician is the one who satisfies all your needs and wants with respect to your chronic pain. However, doctors are trained to manage problems, not satisfy needs and wants. Therefore you need to see that there … Continue reading →
You have been referred to a doctor for your chronic pain. Chances are that this is not the first time you’ve been referred for the same problem. What you can bring to the appointment that can help you get the … Continue reading →
If you understand how doctors think about illness and pain you will be better equipped to use them to your benefit. In general, doctors are trained to gather information from which to draw a conclusion that guides an action. The … Continue reading →
There is a saying in medicine that those who specialize learn more and more about less and less until they know everything about nothing. As medical knowledge has increased so too has specialization. It is impossible for any one human … Continue reading →
Although a necessary requirement for using doctors is to start mastering yourself, it is just as important to understand who and what you may have to deal with when seeking help for your pain. The first and perhaps most surprising … Continue reading →
So far in this series, the focus has been on what people with pain should be doing for themselves to help them take charge of themselves. In this post, the emphasis is on how rather than what. There are many … Continue reading →
In order to use doctors and by extension the entire health care system including private insurers, you need to be able control yourself. If you have little or no control over yourself how can you possibly expect to influence others? … Continue reading →
It is not fair that you have chronic pain. Our health care system isn’t equipped to provide you with optimal care. Your insurer, compensation board, employer, friends or family may not understand what it is like for you. Even the … Continue reading →
Everyone with health related problems can use a doctor as an ally. This is especially true for people with chronic pain. At their best, doctors can provide good management, appropriate referral, emotional support and advocacy. But chronic pain patients are … Continue reading →