With chronic pain affecting countless people, the need for more diverse chronic pain resources is massive. Living with pain is hard, and most people who haven’t dealt with it don’t understand the struggles that accompany it. Having the right resources can make all the difference when it comes to living with chronic pain or other recurring illnesses.
Chronic pain comes in many different forms and can be caused by a wide variety of conditions, injuries, or accidents. It’s estimated that nearly 20% of adults in the United States suffer from chronic pain. Some of the most common causes of chronic pain in the U.S. are arthritis, fibromyalgia, lower back pain, headaches, and migraines.
Finding Chronic Pain Resources Can Be Difficult
Despite such a high prevalence, millions of people find it difficult to live with their chronic pain. This is due, in part, to the lack of sufficient chronic pain resources available today. Even finding the right doctor can be difficult, one study points out, as many doctors are not well trained in treating chronic pain. However, it’s not just doctors that can be difficult to find. Some people in your life may not understand or even believe your pain is real. This has left countless people with chronic pain feeling isolated and desperate for relief.
That’s where chronic pain resources come in. These resources provide people with the tools and support they need to understand and live with their chronic pain. One of the most common chronic pain resources is a support group. These groups provide a safe place where you can find emotional support and learn about treatments and management strategies. However, finding the right support group can be difficult.
Thankfully, the Pain Resource Community is one of the fastest-growing chronic pain communities to date and is completely free to join.
What Is the Pain Resource Community?
The Pain Resource Community is your new one-stop shop for all things chronic pain. It combines all the things you know and love about social media, and combines them with a shared interest in chronic pain and chronic illness. Whether you’re posting a photo of your furry friends or sharing one of your favorite healthy recipes, you’ll be doing so with thousands of other people who know exactly what it’s like to live with chronic pain.
The Pain Resource Community is free to join and is open to all members, even those without chronic pain. Our support group is dedicated to helping people live with chronic pain, as well as helping others understand more about invisible illnesses.
Chronic pain resources are an important part of our support group. That’s why we offer our members a plethora of resources once they’ve signed up.
Specialized Support Groups
The Pain Resource Community is one of the most comprehensive chronic pain resources available. The platform was made by people with chronic pain, for people with chronic pain. This added level of support means that your experience inside the community can be personalized to your exact needs.
One of the things that set the Pain Resource Community apart is the specialized support groups. These groups focus on a specific illness, condition, interest, or hobby, such as fibromyalgia, natural remedies, or healthy recipes. Inside these groups, you’ll be able to connect with other members who have similar interests or chronic pain.
Support groups are moderated by members of the chronic pain community who have been hand-selected to lead conversations about specific topics. Their job is to monitor their groups, spark conversations, flag inappropriate content, and be a helpful resource for other members. Current groups available for members include:
- Healthy Living
- Natural Remedies
- Chronic Pain
- Pain Management
- Mental Health
- Invisible Illnesses
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Healthy Recipes
- COVID-19
- Addiction
- Caretakers
Anyone can become a moderator, and new groups are being created every day as the community continues to grow.
Earn Points
As a member of the Pain Resource Community, you’ll be able to talk, share articles, and chat with other members about your chronic pain. Every interaction with other spoonies not only helps you create a support network but also helps you earn points. What are the points for?
The points inside the Pain Resource Community help you earn badges, enter giveaways, and show other members how active you are in the community. Each time you share a blog, log in, post a photo, or simply log in, you’ll earn points. As you earn points, your total balance is reflected on your profile for all of your friends to see. The more points you earn, the more chances you have to enter giveaways for prizes.
The current giveaway available to all members is a $500 laptop, which is set to end on November 30.
Other Chronic Pain Resources
There are a number of other chronic pain resources available for those looking for further support. Depending on what you’re looking for, you have a lot of options. Several large support groups exist online like the Pain Resource Community, or over the phone like a national hotline. You may also find that your local community has a support group for chronic pain or other illness.
Below are some chronic pain resources available at no cost, all aimed at helping people live a healthier, pain-free life:
Alliance for Balanced Pain Management: This alliance calls for greater understanding and access to balanced pain management, and disseminates the latest news on managing pain.
American Academy of Pain Medicine: This organization represents doctors in the field of pain medicine. The website also has a patient education center and doctor locator for patients looking for specialized care.
American Chronic Pain Association: Since 1980, the ACPA has offered peer support and education in pain management skills to people with pain, family and friends, and health care professionals. The ACPA’s unique materials are a primary resource for individuals seeking to improve the quality of their lives and for the professionals who help them.
National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association: This free online community offers peer-to-peer support and a safe environment so you can connect with others experiencing or who have experienced the diagnosis, treatments, and outcomes similar to yours.
Pain Connection: Pain Connection is dedicated to empowering people with chronic pain to improve their quality of life, decrease their sense of isolation, and take a more active role in their treatment.
Chronic pain resources are an important part of living with any type of pain. A support group provides an opportunity for people to share personal experiences and feelings, coping strategies, or firsthand information about diseases or treatments. Places like the Pain Resource Community offer people with chronic pain a place to come together and share their stories with others, all while helping others live healthier, happier lives.
Join the Pain Resource Community today to start creating your chronic pain support network.
Thanks for sharing!