Some concepts are repeated so often that they start to sound cliche. Like ‘knowledge is power’. Nonetheless, when it comes to healthcare, knowledge put into action is the only power that has ever existed. And when it comes to chronic pain, the doctor and the patient both need knowledge. And usually, both need to put that knowledge into action. No clinician can do your exercises for you after all. 

When navigating chronic pain, ‘doctor knowledge’ is seldom enough. Unlike many healthcare procedures, rehabilitation is an interactive process, not a ‘patient-passive’ event. So, as a pain sufferer, you almost certainly need some knowledge of pain. 

If you have a toothache, you only need a small amount of knowledge to resolve it. Knowing who to call, how to sit in a chair, and how to open your mouth for 45 minutes is enough. Most surgeries are similar; as patients, we don’t even need to be conscious for the healing to occur.

Meanwhile, resolving chronic pain long-term is seldom possible with a single procedure. Rehabilitation is a process and one in which the patient must be very alert. It takes mutual trust, mutual understanding, communication, persistence and flexibility. It takes patient engagement. Engagement that seldom sticks for people who don’t truly understand the process.

Pain rehab has more in common with the typical fitness journey than it does with most healthcare procedures. In that, some patient/client knowledge is non-negotiable. Thankfully not an expert level of knowledge, just a solid grasp of the basics. 

If only we could become fully fit, healthy, happy, lean and pain-free via a short course of pills or keyhole surgery. But seemingly, that’s not the natural law. For real strength, real resilience, vibrant health and true healing, we need to engage. And engagement requires knowledge and understanding.

Knowledge of pain is also important because you live in a world where pain is treated in a myriad of different ways. Some effective, some ineffective, some safe, some highly profitable and some very dangerous ways. 

Effective, ineffective, safe, profitable and dangerous. These are all common traits among 21st-century pain management approaches. A perfect blueprint for a healthcare minefield. A minefield that you have no choice but to traverse if you want to get back to living a fully expressed pain-free life.

Pain is a complex issue, and being human, you are a complex issue. So naturally, there’s a possibility these blogs won’t show you a direct path to freedom from your pain. But for most, the content contains the vital knowledge that can lead them to successful pain resolution. Which treatments work and why. And what you need to do for yourself to make sure those treatments stick long-term. 

Every time you read a blog on this site, the probability that you will make wise decisions about pain management will increase. And by the end, you will be somewhat of an expert. In fact, you will understand pain and its management far better than the average family doctor. Let alone the average friend, colleague or family member.

There is no rush. You could read one blog a day and still get the full benefit. You also don’t have to read from oldest to most recent. Our blogs have been written so that you can read or re-read whatever feels relevant at any given time. The blogs all more or less stand-alone. 

Knowledge of the truth about musculoskeletal pain will enable you to make better treatment and self-care choices. And it may also help you to support others in doing the same.  

Once you possess knowledge of what really causes musculoskeletal pain, why we currently struggle with it the way we do, and which methods actually bring relief, you’ll know how to effectively navigate the healthcare and wellness sectors. Both of which are currently predisposed to the mismanagement of pain.