Pain Cycle
The long-term goal of pain management is to help you cope with a chronic, often disabling disease. You may be caught in a cycle of pain, depression, and stress. To break out of this cycle, you need to be an active participant with the doctor and other health care professionals in managing your pain. This may include:
Self-Help Courses
The Multipurpose Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases Center at Stanford University, supported by NIAMS, has developed an Arthritis Self-Help Course that teaches people with arthritis how to take a more active part in their arthritis care. The Arthritis Self-Help Course is taught by the Arthritis Foundation.
An Active Role
Self-help courses can teach you more about:
Manage Your Arthritis Pain
Things you can do to better manage your arthritis pain.
Related Resources
Source: NIH Publication No. 01-4856 (edited)

