If you suffer from chronic pain, you are not alone. Millions of American live with pain that affects their day-to-day lives, but almost half of them receive no treatment. Chronic pain is pain that has lasted longer than three months. It may begin with an injury, disease, or procedure but evolve into persistent pain. Sometimes the cause of chronic pain is not clear.
Those with chronic pain may look for non-drug treatment options. Recommended options, like self-management and exercise, can be very limited in rural areas. The Chronic Pain Self-Management Program, a new program offered by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, aims to increase county residents’ access to non-drug options for chronic pain.
The Chronic Pain Self-Management Program is a six-week series of workshops that teach participants how to deal with chronic pain and the issues it causes. Sessions address: techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, isolation, and poor sleep; appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance; appropriate use of medications; communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals; nutrition; pacing activity and rest; and how to evaluate new treatments.
The evidence-based program has been shown to increase vitality or energy, decrease pain, decrease dependence on others, and improve mental health. Participants in the program were more involved in everyday activities and more satisfied with their lives compared to those who had not taken the program.
The Chronic Pain Self-Management Program will be offered in Waldron starting Monday, March 19. Sessions will be held at Rich Mountain Community College, Waldron Branch at 456 West 6th Street from 9-11:30 a.m. Sessions are free to participants through funding from the USDA, but space is limited. To sign up for the program, contact Debbie Miller at the Extension Office at 479-637-2173 or [email protected].Registration deadline is March 8, 2019.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact the Scott County Extension Office as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
