Last year we were so excited here at The Leva Clinic to launch our digital pain management programme, after working with both patients and health professionals to deliver the best package of support that we could. Since then, the feedback has been incredible and we’ve been lucky enough to work with places like Boots to reach as many chronic pain patients as possible. As a new year begins, you may be reflecting on how you can better manage your pain, and perhaps wondering if our pain management programme could be helpful for you.
Our 12 module programme is packed full of information and resources, so today I’m going to break it all down a little to give you an overview of what to expect from each module.
Module 1 serves as an introduction and will give you a taste of what to expect when you move through the programme. We’ve packed it full of tips on how you can get the most out of the modules, as well as giving you the space to reflect on your understanding of pain. We hope to begin to reverse some of the unhelpful thoughts you might have previously had towards your pain. You’ll be introduced to your first activity, and be asked to start setting some goals.
Module’s 2 and 3 focus on communicating your needs and movement, two things that will become some of the building blocks of your pain management. Communication and community are vital in managing and living with your pain, so in module 2 we will walk you through how you can assert your needs and build a community. In module 3 we will tackle movement, a topic that is often a tricky one for chronic pain patients who have often been told that movement will cure them, and have experienced feeling worse due to moving and exercising. We take a gentle approach in this module as we explore what movement is and how to build and sustain a movement habit. We know that movement is key in managing chronic pain, but we also know that it needs a slow approach.
Module’s 4 and 5 cover medication and activities. We spend some time covering the different types of medication, how you can start a conversation with your healthcare professional about them and how to manage your medication. We’re definitely not here to encourage you to suddenly stop all your medications, but this module challenges you to take a step back and assess what is and isn’t helpful for you at this time. In module 5 we cover activities, how we can manage our tasks throughout the day and find a balance that works for us. We talk about the ‘boom and bust cycle’, and the steps we can take to avoid finding ourselves getting caught in one. We also cover what rest can look like, challenging the idea that the only kind of rest is the kind where you are being completely still. And of course, we begin to talk about pacing, something many chronic pain patients find they have a love/hate relationship with. We hope that our approach will show you pacing in a different light, and guide you as to how it can fit in with your life.
Module 6 is a chance to think about flare-up’s, what causes them, how we can prevent and manage them and how to minimise their impact on your life. We know that flare-up’s are inevitable, so working to both prevent them and manage them is so important. You’ll have the chance to create your own unique flare-up plan in this module too. After that, module 7 is a moment to pause and reflect. It’s a chance for you to review what you’ve learnt and check in with your goal.
Module’s 8 and 9 cover sleep and doing things differently, giving you more chances to start making changes in your daily life to help you manage your pain better. We all know that sleep can be challenging when you live with chronic pain, so we’ve compiled all of our best advice and tips into one module to help you figure out what works best for you. We also explain the sleep cycle, and why you might be getting poor sleep, to help you better understand the ‘why’ behind your sleeping habits. In module 9 we cover a variety of things, all linking into the idea that life is unpredictable. We talk about the importance of learning by failing, becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable, dealing with change and our relationships.
As we begin to draw to the end of the programme, module’s 10 and 11 focus on lifestyle tips and work, giving you practical advice for both. We give you lifestyle tips on food, aids and equipment, clothing, tools for temporary relief and alternative therapies, arming you with as much knowledge as we can. We know that chronic pain management is about a multiple disciplinary approach, as well as a lot of trial and error, so having options is really important. Module 11 covers work, a topic that matters most to a lot of people. We think about what work actually is, stretching your definition beyond just what you’re paid for, as well as tips for staying in and returning to work, including flexible working hours and specially adapted equipment.
Finally, module 12 marks the end of the programme, but certainly not the end of our learning. In this final module we ask you to think about what you’ve learnt throughout the programme, as well as making a plan to continue, and giving your space to imagine your future. Perhaps it looks a little different now?
Once completed, the modules will always be there for you to return to as and when you need. Making a lifestyle change like this doesn’t happen overnight, so don’t be afraid to revisit the material when you feel you need a bit more support.
If you have any more questions about what to expect from the pain management programme, then don’t hesitate to get in touch.
We’re really excited to get started with supporting you to live better with your pain!
If you would like to get in touch with Shona, you can follow her on Twitter, Instagram or drop her a message via her website.