Pain Behaviours – Our individual pain thermometer



Pain Behaviours – Our individual pain thermometer

← Pain behaviours are the signs of pain that others can see.

← Pain behaviours communicate to others

← They are also affected by situations and what other people do

Think:

← Pain behaviours are noticed by other people. What you do (or don’t do) sends the message to others that you are in pain.

← You can use either words or movement.

← What you do tends to either draw people toward you or push people away.

← Even if you don’t know that you are doing it, you are sending a message about your pain.

Ask your partner – how do you know that I am having a bad day? What things do I do that let you know that I am sore?

|Vocalizations |Sighs, Moans, Groans, Gasps, etc. |

|(Vocal non-verbal complaints) | |

|Facial Expressions |Grimacing, Winces, Furrowed brow, Tightened lips, Clenched teeth, |

| |Distorted expressions, etc. |

|Motor Activity |Slow or Deliberate Movement |

|Mood |Irritable, Moody, Angry, Frustrated |

|Verbal Reports |Questions, "Why did this happen to me?" |

| |Requests for Help in Walking, Getting up, Sitting down, etc. |

|Body Postures, Gesturing |Limping or Distorted Gait |

| |Rubbing or Supporting Affected Area |

| |Shifting Posture Frequently |

| |Sitting with Rigid Posture |

|Behaviours to Reduce Pain |Taking Medication |

| |Over using Health Care Systems |

| |Reduction and/or Advoidance of Tasks or Activities |

| |Using Protective Devices |

| |    Cane |

| |    Cervical Collar |

| |    Walking Frames |

|Functional Limitations |Reclining (laying down) for Extended Periods of Time |

| |Moving in Guarded or Protective Manner |

| |Stopping to rest when walking |

|Good things about doing these things? |Not so good things about doing these things? |

| | |

Why change your pain behaviour?

← Guarded movements and slow movements cause you to avoid activities

← Bracing, guarding, limping can cause pain in other parts of your body

← Other people may avoid you, or treat you differently

← You may enjoy it and therefore do more

Pain behaviour can have physical, psychological and social effects.

Pain behaviours work because:

← They sometimes reduce your pain

← Other people react to them – attention, ignoring

You are more than your pain behaviour

If you don’t want people to look at your pain behaviour, but to look at you

If you want to be loved for what you can do and not what is wrong with you

If you want to be seen as more than ‘that person with pain’

Then you need to:

← Notice what you do when you are sore

← Notice when you do pain behaviour

← Change it

Getting others to talk about something besides your pain

Be honest and tell people if you don’t want to talk about your pain any more.

Be careful – you may get what you ask for!

Changing your pain behaviour will mean:

← Relaxing more

← Stretching more

← Strengthening more

← Changing position

← Reminding yourself

← Being reminded

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