People with chronic pain often feel constant and severe symptoms that can be incredibly distressing. This is because in some cases people with chronic pain develop a sensitised nervous system where the bodies “pain amplifier” is turned up too high. A sensitised nervous system does not mean your pain “is all in your head”. Your injury and pain is real, but the nervous system is a factor that needs understanding and treatment. The Advance Online Pain Management program can help you de-sensitise the nervous system using a range of strategies. The following resources are useful to read, listen to and engage with over your pain management program. Thinking about how this information might apply to your situation and discussing this with your Advance practitioner will greatly assist in your recovery.

  1. Understanding the different contributing factors to your pain problem is the first step as explained in this info sheet and also an interactive online learning module. If you really want an in depth discussion on a sensitive nervous system check out this fascinating article from The Guardian

  2. Graded activity and exercise - a gradual process of increasing activity and exercise is necessary for all injuries to recover and in particular to de-senstise your nervous system. With a sensitised nervous system it may be necessary to push into your pain gently to enable a slow build up your strength. Your Advance practitioner will carefully monitor this during your pain management program as knowing when to push and when to hold back can be tricky. This info sheet explains more about graded activity and exercise

  3. Mindfulness - mindfulness is a simple method of becoming more “present” and in the process letting go of thoughts, feelings and emotions that may be a part of your pain problem. This sheet outlines some simple mindfulness exercises plus explores Smiling Minds as an app that has a range of exercises specifically designed to help with managing your pain

  4. Be sure to check out the sleep and medication sections of the Advance Problem Solver as these strategies are critical in managing your pain and sensitised nervous system

  5. Your mood or thoughts may be contributing to your pain. Ask yourself the question “when my mood is low is my pain worse?” If the answer is yes, some of the info sheets on mood and thoughts may be helpful

If you require this information in a different language, please contact your Advance practitioner.