5 simple ways you can support someone with chronic pain
By Sylvia Lee | Originally published on 26 July 2022
This week is National Pain Week, an annual awareness event coordinated by Chronic Pain Australia that advocates for Australians living with chronic pain so that they receive higher standards of care such as quality, affordable, and timely pain management.
There is a lack of awareness around the issues associated with chronic pain despite the fact that it is a common condition in Australia.
What happens when you have an invisible illness that is not only commonly misunderstood and stigmatised, but also affects every facet of everyday life?
3.6 million Australians are currently living with chronic pain, a complex, isolating condition characterised by persistent pain that lasts longer than three to six months, sometimes without an obvious cause. As one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, chronic pain is strongly associated with high rates of depression and anxiety, economic hardship, and a lower life expectancy.
People with chronic pain are five times as likely than those living without pain to be limited in daily activities such as socialising, work, and exercise. Almost 50% of people with chronic pain additionally struggle with depression and anxiety. Those living with and beyond cancer may also experience chronic pain from treatment, as it is a common side effect, or from the cancer itself. In fact, about 40% of cancer survivors live with moderate to severe pain.
If you know someone with chronic pain, it’s likely you may not know how best to support them, so here are 5 simple ways to do so:
1. EDUCATE YOURSELF
Unfortunately, there remains a lack of awareness of the reality of living with chronic pain, which can contribute to stigma in healthcare settings, the workplace, and wider society. That’s why one of the best ways you can support someone with chronic pain is by taking the time to learn about their condition. This will enhance your empathy and understanding of their experience whilst relieving them of the burden of educating others.
2. LISTEN COMPASSIONATELY
Sometimes people with chronic pain just want to be listened to with an open heart and mind. Listening to them speak about their painful emotions might be difficult, but by sitting in the discomfort together, you can allow them to share in a safe space. Remember: only give advice when asked; despite your best intentions, this can come across as extremely patronising.
3. STAY CONNECTED
People living with chronic pain are prone to experiencing social isolation and mental health struggles, so it’s important to remind them that you’re here for them. This can involve checking in on them by asking how they are, sending them a loving message, or continuing to invite them to things so they remain connected to the people they care about.
4. OFFER ACTS OF SERVICE
Showing up for someone with chronic pain can look like asking them how you can help with specific tasks, bringing them lunch and staying for a chat if they have capacity, assisting with admin, groceries or household chores, or going to appointments with them.
5. SHARE THE LOVE
The Comfort Pack is a care package for Ramsay Health Care patients undergoing cancer treatment that is filled with goodies such as Moo Goo Oncology Pack, Boody Bedsocks, and Bosistos Essential Oil.
If you want to show your support for someone with chronic pain, you can donate a Comfort Pack to a patient undergoing cancer treatment to remind them that they’re not alone. Created by Cure Cancer in partnership with Ramsay Health Care, the Comfort Pack is a sweet care package that brings patients physical and emotional comfort.
We spoke to a Ramsay Health Care staff member, who told us about patients’ experiences of receiving a Comfort Pack donated by a stranger.
“Seeing patients opening the boxes, trying out the beautiful creams and essential oils, pulling on the soft bed socks — you can see how much it means to them.
“They often don’t understand who the gift has come from; when we tell them that a stranger bought it for them to make their treatment a bit easier, they often tear up a little.
“It’s hard to explain how much such ‘small’ things like this matter at difficult times.”
