​It’s easy with chronic pain to focus attention on all types of bodily sensations. Often becoming hyper vigilant, worrying about each pain sensation, and avoiding activity to avoid pain.

What’s important is to change how we think about our chronic pain. To learn to accept it, knowing that it doesn’t mean harm.

Check out this new link on our Resources page for inspirational quotes and just some good plain fun! Check back often for updates.

​Complaining about pain and a "woe is me pity party" only puts the focus on the pain and as a result can worsen the pain. To champion pain, it is important to change our thoughts about pain, accept the pain and learn how to manage it.

Check out these helpful resources:

• ​50 ways to live well, despite chronic pain
• Chronic Pain Won't Stop Me
• Control What You Can Control

I was privileged to be interviewed by Daniel Pablo Arbilla for his Knowledge Exchange podcast.
 
Listen to learn about:

• My experience with chronic pain and attending a pain rehabilitation program.
• The role of pain science in my understanding of pain.
• The world of patient support groups, and what motivated me to create ‘Chronic Pain Champions - No Whining Allowed’.
• Advice to clinicians when collaborating with people experiencing chronic pain.

 
https://tkex.org/podcast/2020/5/31/tom-bowen-chronic-pain-champion?fbclid=IwAR2Y1M0Y76PZOZlQ1Mstd7DMuHMk-661jg8Gq63qFaScq0uxyJNE6XCxNts
 
Daniel is a personal trainer, exercise scientist and exercise physiologist based out of Australia. In addition to his podcast, he also administers a successful Facebook group.

Thanks again Daniel for giving me this opportunity!

Up to 79% of chronic pain patients are unsatisfied with their pain management.
​
In this article I wrote for Practical Pain Management, I shared 10 patient-centered communication tips that I have found over the years to work in developing strong patient-provider relationships, improving outcomes, and strengthening compliance with treatment plans.

Check out the whole story.

Join the club. Better yet, join our Facebook group Chronic Pain Champions – No Whining Allowed.

​This group offers a "positive” resource for people with non-cancer/end-of-life chronic pain, caretakers (family and friends), medical professionals, and industry experts to champion pain.

The focus is on living well, despite pain, including understanding pain, accepting pain, adjusting to pain, and adapting to pain.

No complaining, woe is me or negative talk is allowed. It can make pain worse. Education, pain management information, and reassurance/support are welcome.

No one likes pain.  And we’ll do almost anything to find the cause and a solution.
 
It’s easy to jump on what I call the pain merry-go-round.  Visiting all types of healthcare providers.  Going through x-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs, CT scans, and all sorts of other tests.  Attending lectures.  Spending countless hours on the Internet.  Taking a concoction of opioid painkillers, non-opioid medicines, vitamins, and herbs.  Getting injections.  Even having surgery or surgeries.
 
 
While some of these might help, some may not, and some may even make things worse.  Meanwhile, they all cost time and money and delay chronic pain rehabilitation.
 
Get your free copy of the e-book Chronic Pain Won’t Stop Me for ways to make the jump.

It’s easy for our mind to wander and lose touch with the things we enjoy.

Mindfulness has shown to reduce anxiety and stress while improving mood and pain acceptance.  It redirects the mind from the wandering negative thoughts in our head so we can enjoy the present with no judgement, rumination or worry about the pain.  It simply asks us to become aware of our senses and free our mind.

We can practice mindfulness when simply taking a deep breath by focusing on the breath, how we breath, and what the air feels like coming in and out of our bodies.  We can also practice mindfulness when listening, walking, or doing simple things like playing with our pets.  Best yet, it’s free and requires no special equipment.

Learn more:

• Mindfulness for Physical Pain (University of Minnesota)
• Mindfulness Bell - A 5 Minute Mindfulness Meditation
• Use mindfulness to cope with chronic pain (Mayo Clinic)