Chronic pain affects millions of people every year. It can cause physical symptoms like headaches, backaches, and muscle aches, and emotional ones like anxiety, stress, and depression. And while many people try different medications and treatments, many people find that occupational therapy helps them better manage their pain in the long run.

What are the different types of chronic pain?

There are two main categories of chronic pain: nociceptive (pain caused by tissue damage) and neuropathic (pain caused by nerve damage). Nociceptive pain usually comes on quickly and goes away after a few minutes. Neuropathic pain tends to come on slowly and last longer than nociceptive pain. There are many reasons for chronic pain, some include:

• Complex injuries such as car accidents and sports injuries

• Chronic Fatigue Symdrome

• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

• Fibromyalgia

• Stroke

• Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injuries

• Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis Arthritis

• Back & Neck Pain due to poor posture

• Scoliosis or Sciatica

Here are the five main ways that Occupational Therapists can help with these chronic pain conditions:

1. They understand how to treat each type of pain

Occupational therapists can help people who suffer from chronic pain because they are trained in a variety of chronic pain conditions. They help each client learn new skills and techniques to reduce their pain and complete activities of daily living within their functional capacity, and (hopefully) without making their pain worse. This includes learning relaxation techniques, improving posture, managing their energy, and using assistive devices. Different types of chronic pain need different types of interventions, and not all clients are the same! OT’s will help develop an individualized and holistic treatment plan that works for your needs.

2. They work with patients to find solutions to their problems

Occupational therapists work closely with patients to identify the source of their pain and develop strategies to treat it. They also teach patients how to use adaptive equipment and other tools to improve their quality of life. Occupational Therapists are experts with modifications and graded exercise programs. They are also excellent when it comes to arranging other types of therapy for you so that you can focus on getting better! When you don’t have the energy or the capacity to plan or schedule things because of your chonic pain, that’s when an Occupational Therapist is extremely valuable!

3. They Understand the Role of Exercise in Managing Pain

Physical activity has been shown to reduce pain and improve function in people with chronic pain. It can also help prevent future injuries by improving muscle strength and flexibility. Occupational Therapists work with their clients to develop gradual and graded exercise programs. You’ll go slow, but also challenge yourself enough to build up your capacity. OT’s also work closely with Physiotherapists and Kinesiologists to communicate your goals, needs and limits, so that everyone on your healthcare team is on the same page when it comes to your activity level.

4. They Can Help You Find Modifications & Adaptations

Chronic Pain often makes simple tasks such as locking your door, cooking, and cleaning extremely hard. When you see an Occupational Therapist, they can recommend modifications to materials you use or come up with different ways to adapt to your surroundings. For example:

• in sports or leisure activities – e.g. a playing cards holder

• at work or school – e.g. special tools that help prevent injury to hands and back

• to take care of yourself – e.g. special bath or toilet seats

• to get from place to place – e.g. car modifications such as one-handed steering wheels

• around the house – e.g. a special key holder to make turning keys easier

Your OT will make sure that these modifications and equipment work for you and your needs - often measuring and trialing them out with you until you find the perfect equipment!

5. OT’s Remove Barriers and Can Prevent Major Life Changes

Not only do OT’s aim to make your life easier while living with chronic pain, they can also prevent a wide variety of environmental and social changes from occuring. For example, OT’s can help prevent:

• premature moves to a nursing home

• work injuries due to poor workstation positioning and other organizational strains

• school dropouts due to poor attention spans or reading and writing difficulties

• unemployment among people with a developmental disability or a mental illness

• unnecessary hospital stays and readmissions

When you’re dealing with chronic pain, these concerns often come up. Occupational Therapists can help you manage your work, home life and living situations with ease and much less stress!

In short, Occupational therapists use their expertise and full scope of practice to improve client health and participation in daily activities. Occupational therapists act as primary care practitioners or health promotion experts, providing case management, chronic disease and pain management, injury prevention techniques and caregiver education, for example. Their intervention can also focus on a health crisis or to prevent hospitalizations, shorten hospital stays and provide community or caregiver support. If you’re living with chronic pain and struggling with daily living activities, an Occupational Therapist is key!

Chipperfield Mobile Occupational Therapy Appointments are available in Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster and Coquitlam! Our Registered Occupational Therapist Sabrina Hamilton will find strategies to manage your chronic pain and get you back to doing what you love in no time. Click the button below to book!