Flare-ups
Your pain will change over time. Some days will be good and some will be harder. This is very common when you have chronic pain. If you manage your pain well, over time there will be less ups and downs.
Flare-ups can have a big impact on you and your life. The best way to manage your next flare-up is to make a plan now (when things ok) for what you will do when your pain gets worse. Then when a flare-up happens you will feel safe and know what to do.
There isn’t one or a perfect way, to deal with a pain flare-up. It is a good idea to have different tools and work out which one is the best for you at that time. Remember, some tools will work better at different times, so if your usual tools aren’t working then try something else.
It is best to work in stages. Most flare-ups only last about a day, so start with a plan based around a day. If the flare-up lasts longer, than change your plan to manage this.
Remember – this will pass.
Avoiding a flare-up
The first step is to think about the things that can trigger a flare-up for you. This could be activities, some movements or positions, or it could be because you have done too much. A flare-up might also happen after a big stressor or change in your life. The things that set-off your flare-up are your red flags. The next step is to think of ways to avoid these red flags – these are your green flags – the things you can do to prevent and stop the flare-up. Check out the Flare-up guide to find out what your red and green flags are. Then use the tools and tips to make My plan to manage a flare-up to help you get back to your life and to find new ways to learn to Be Pain Smart.