A person' s needs for pain control may also change over time. Careful monitoring of pain and pain relief is essential. The person who has chronic pain plays a key role in pain management. He or she must work with healthcare providers to decide on treatment, then monitor and report on how treatments are working. A person with chronic pain has other responsibilities, too.
Stress makes pain worse.
It helps to set and meet goals. Successful pain management means learning to make pain part of life, rather than the whole life. A person should settle for nothing less than respectful care and being listened to by all healthcare providers. Finally, many people with chronic pain find it valuable to speak with others who suffer from it. Many self-help groups allow people to share ideas, strategies, struggles, and successes.