Chronic Pain Self-Management Program
A community program to help people live successfully with Chronic Pain
The Chronic Pain Self-Management Program provides: knowledge and information, teaches skills that people can use to manage chronic pain, gives people greater confidence in their ability to manage chronic pain, helps improve people’s quality of life.
This program was designed specifically for persons who have a primary or secondary diagnosis of chronic pain. Pain is defined as being chronic or long term when it lasts for longer than 3 – 6 months, or beyond the normal healing time of an injury.
Some examples of chronic musculosketal pain include:
- chronic neck, shoulder and back pain
- fibromyalgia
- whiplash injuries
- repetitive strain injury
- post-surgical pain that lasts beyond six-months
neuropathic pain (often that lasts beyond six months
post stroke or central pain - It may also be appropriate for the following conditions such as persistent headache, Crohn’s Disease, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes with neuropathy, and for individuals who have severe muscular pain due to conditions such as multiple sclerosis.
The course content covers the following topics:
- Debunking myths about chronic pain
- Differences between acute and chronic pain
- Understanding the pain and symptom cycle
- Physical activity and exercise
- Pacing: Balancing activity and rest
- Better breathing and muscle relaxation
- Dealing with difficult emotions
- Fatigue and sleep management
- Guided imagery, visualization and distraction
- Working with a Health care team
- Medication for Chronic Pain
- Depression and Positive Thinking
- Making Informed Treatment Decisions
- Moving Easy Program
The Chronic Pain Self Management Program was developed in Canada and is a Stanford University approved program. This is a 6 week program, one session each week for 2-2 ½ hours. There are two trained certified facilitators that present this program.
Contact Mary Simpler – Health Promotions Specialist for more information by phone at
320-229-4591 or by email at msimpler@ccstcloud.org
Catholic Charities
Health Promotion Education
Mare Simpler
157 Roosevelt Rd, Ste 200
St. Cloud, MN 56301
Ph: 320.229.4591
Fx: 320.253.7464