PAIN AWARENESS
Pain is an uncomfortable feeling that tells you
something may be wrong in your body. It is your
body’s way of sending a warning to your
brain. The nerves in your body carry the pain
signals up the spinal cord to the brain. Medicines
are sometimes used to control pain. Medicines
work by blocking these messages or reducing their
effect on your brain.
Pain may be just a nuisance, like
a mild headache. Other times pain may not go away
even after you take pain medicine. Through close
communication and understanding your treatment
plan, the doctors can help be effective in helping
you achieve pain control.
Pain control may be obtained
with or without medication. Many people worry
about getting “hooked” on pain medication.
Studies show this is very rare – unless
you already have a problem with drug abuse.
• Sometimes a combination
of methods will provide better control. Often
slow, rhythmic breathing exercises are effective
for pain control because they help you relax.
Massage, rest, cold packs are some examples of
additional pain control methods that may be used.
Medications for pain control come in various forms
such as pills and injections. Be sure to inform
doctors about any allergies to medicines you may
have.
• Help the doctors “measure”
your pain. They may ask you to rate your pain
on a scale of 0 to 10, or you may choose a picture
that best describes your pain. (See the scale
below!). Reporting your pain by using a number
or picture helps the doctors and nurses know how
well your treatment is working and whether there
is a need to make any changes.
• REMEMBER: Talk with your
doctor - you are the key to getting the best pain
relief because pain is personal!
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