New downloadable guide for people living with pain

Living well with persistent joint or muscle-related pain can be challenging and confusing.
A new, practical guide has been developed by a group of European researchers and clinicians, with co-funding from the European Union, to support people living with ongoing pain.

This free resource is available to download and aims to help you:

• Better understand your pain

• Make informed decisions about your care

• Strengthen your self-management skills

• Build confidence in everyday life

The guide covers a range of important topics, including:

• The importance of movement and staying active

• Managing daily activities and flare-ups

• Sleep and its impact on pain

• The use of pain relief and anti-inflammatory medications

• Managing daily activities and flare-ups

• How healthcare providers can help

It also explores how stress and emotions can influence pain (and how pain can, in turn, affect these), and challenges common beliefs, such as the idea that “poor posture” is the cause of pain.

The information is relevant regardless of where your pain is felt, whether in your shoulders, knees, back, or elsewhere.

If you are living with persistent musculoskeletal pain, I encourage you to download the booklet and share it with your whānau and friends.