Be Healthy Information

Chronic pain can be hard to read. How do you know whether you’re making progress if the pain is OK one day but flares up again the next? Besides that, there’s more to getting better than just getting rid of pain. 

What would “getting better” look like for you? Here’s how to take an active role in making goals that are meaningful to you. And measuring your progress toward those goals. 

1. Daily life 

Reflect on your pain and how it affects your daily life. 

• How easy/difficult it is to sit and/or stand?
• How well are you able to keep up personal care such as washing and dressing? 
  
• Is your social life affected? If so, how?
  
• What does pain's interference in your daily life mean to you?

2. Productivity 

• How does pain limit your ability to get things done at home? At work? With family and friends?  
  
• How does this change as you use different ways to manage pain?
  

3. Activity 

• Does pain limit your activity?  
  
• If so, does managing your pain help you do more activities?
• Has the amount of exercise you can do changed?
• How easy or difficult is it to walk, run, do yoga, garden, or other things you like to do?
  
• How easy or difficult is it to lift objects that you need during your day? 
  

4. Mood 

• Do you experience mood changes that relate to your pain?  
  
• If so, have you felt changes in how happy, sad, or angry you felt?  
• Do other emotions change when working on managing your pain?  
• How is your sense of how strong or capable you are?  

5. Time

• Does your pain vary at different times of the day? 
  
• What times of day does it feel better (or worse)? 
  
• How is your pain between appointments with your health care provider or between treatments? 
  

Small victories 

You can look back at your original baseline measurements and see how you’ve progressed. Your health care provider can also help you record and track these types of measurements. 

It’s not always possible to eliminate all chronic pain. But you can find ways to manage it and make progress. You will face detours in your journey. But try to keep a positive outlook, and celebrate each small step you take toward where you want to go.  

This information is not intended to take the place of regular medical care or advice. Please check with your doctor before using this information or beginning any self-care program.