3.
Real talk
Getting
your pain
management
plan right
It's staggering to think 1 in 5 Australians over the age of
45 experience chronic pain during their lives*. If you're
among those living with chronic pain, you'll know that
finding an effective pain management plan that works
for you isn't always easy. But you are not alone. I know
this process can feel overwhelming, but we are here to
support you in this. As pharmacists, we can recommend
a range of holistic options - both medicinal and non-
medicinal approaches that may help.
TiprO HELP
COPE WITH
CHRONIC PAIN
Here's a few things I would suggest asking your
pharmacist about:
Pain Medication Review: This is a friendly one-on-
one discussion with your pharmacist to explore what
medication you're taking, whether it needs to be adjusted,
if there's any interactions or possible side effects to other
medications, and ultimately work out what medication
may suit you best. Book over the phone or online.
Medication Organiser: When you're juggling several
medications, taking the right doses on time can be tricky.
Medication organisers are prepared by your pharmacist
in convenient, see-through, individually labelled
compartments (with dosage details) for different times
of the day. They help take the hassle out of managing
multiple medications.
Non-prescription items: Ask what other products in the
pharmacy may help ease or manage your pain – such as
non-prescription medication or ointments, heat packs,
massage devices, compression bandages and more. Our
pharmacists will be able to recommend products to suit
you specifically.
Other approaches: Trying other approaches such as
meditation, laughter, yoga and pilates may be beneficial.
When combined with medication, a pain management
plan, and a team of health professionals (ie. GP,
pharmacist, dietician, physiotherapist) to support you,
these can all play a role in enhancing the management of
pain.
Breathe in, breathe out. Deep breathing and meditation can be used as
part of pain management and help to bring relief'. When relaxed, tension
and tightness are more likely to leave your muscles and may also help with
managing the stress related to chronic pain*. Find a quiet spot, a comfortable
position, and focus on your breath.
Move. It may feel like the last thing you want to do when in pain, but
exercise can be a vital part of pain management in terms of bone and muscle
conditioning, joint mobility, and helping to keep weight off". Exercise also
releases 'endorphins' (feel-good chemicals) that can provide immediate and
long-lasting benefits to your mood and mental health^.
Support. Joining a chronic pain support group may help you feel less
alone, and provide insight into other people's techniques of coping with
pain. Communicating with loved ones to help them understand what you're
experiencing may also help you feel better supported.
OVER
1 IN 5
No one should have to experience chronic pain alone.
At TerryWhite Chemmart, we are your partners in pain
relief, and are here to help. Ask one of our friendly
pharmacists what options are available to help you better
manage any pain you are experiencing. More information
at www.terrywhitechemmart.com.au/pain
AUSTRALIANS
GET MIGRAINES,
WITH WOMEN TWICE
AS LIKELY TO GET THEM
THAN MEN*
Frank Uccellini
Source 1: https://www.headspace.com/meditation/pain
2: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4450869/
3: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/losing-weight-can-help-you-lose-the-pain-too
4: https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-rice-190446
# https://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/chronic-pain/exercise-chronic-pain
A: https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/exercise
*: https://www.painaustralia.org.au/about-pain/painful-facts
Pharmacist
TerryWhite Chemmart
Browns Plains, QLD
Source *: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-disease/chronic-pain-in-australia