Chronic pain is common in older people and can have a significant impact on health and wellbeing. Even though it is common, it’s important chronic pain is not just considered a normal part of growing old and instead taken seriously and treated appropriately.
In older people, chronic pain can lead to reduced mobility, falls, avoidance of activity, depression and anxiety, sleep impairment and isolation.
According to the research paper Management of chronic pain in older adults it’s important that older people don’t feel they need to put up with chronic pain and instead undergo a comprehensive assessment to select the appropriate treatment.
Appropriate treatments for chronic pain
Chronic pain is complex so trying to work out who is the best health professional to see when you have chronic pain is often difficult. It can be helpful to have a ‘team’ of health care professionals, including your GP, pharmacist, allied and mental health professionals, that you feel comfortable with and have confidence in. This may involve a bit of trial and error.
An integrated approach to managing pain that includes cognitive behavioural and exercise approaches alongside pharmaceutical pain relief is shown to be the most effective.
Cognitive behavioural therapy is showing promise as a method to enhance patients’ control over pain by teaching how certain thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and behaviours play a central role in the experience of pain. Exercise interventions for older adults with chronic pain are evidenced-based and are recommended to form a core component of any long term treatment plan.
These approaches can include:
- Self-management programs to give people specific strategies to reduce pain by changing their behavioural, cognitive and emotional responses to pain.
- Relaxation techniques.
- Exercise programs that focus on balance, flexibility, endurance and strengthening exercises, tailored to a person’s individual needs under the supervision of a physiotherapist.
What to look for in your pain health care team
Whoever you decide to include on your health care team, Chronic Pain Australia recommends you look for someone who:
- Knows about chronic pain and how to treat it (or is prepared to learn).
- Believes you are in pain.
- Listens with care to your concerns.
- Encourages you to ask questions.
- Is comfortable when you disagree.
- Is willing to speak to your family or friends if you are not feeling well.
- Works with you to develop a pain management plan. The aim of the plan is to help reduce your pain and to set realistic goals so you can get back to important and enjoyable activities.
- Provides information about risks and benefits of each suggested pain treatment.
- Tells you when he or she doesn’t know something about your pain problem or treatment.
Health professionals include your GP, medical specialists including a pain specialist, and allied health professionals such as physiotherapists. You may also find that complementary and alternative medicine options are helpful. More information about these health professionals is available on the National Pain Week website.
Support available for those living with chronic pain
Chronic Pain Australia runs a free 24/7 forum for people living with chronic pain. Here people in pain are welcomed with values of compassion, non-judgement and understanding.