Once again I had to use avoidance by distraction to help cope with a chronic pain flare up.  This led me to writing about it tonight.  Sometimes when I have a pain flare up I’m fortunate to be able to just stop everything, but most of the time I need to keep functioning.  When necessary I have learned—and taught many other people—that avoidance by distracting myself will help take the focus off the unpleasant sensation of pain.

The pain doesn’t magically “go away” but it is much less problematic if I’m focused on something more interesting and exciting for example.  Today I used reading something fun and exciting to take the focus off of my pain.  At other times I’ll talk to someone about what’s going on with them.  I also can watch a movie I’ve been putting off or go for a walk in a peaceful place.  If I’m out teaching or training people I can put my entire focus on them.

Will this always work?  Of course not.  But it does help take the edge off while I implement other nonpharmacological pain management tools or take appropriately prescribed medication in rare instances.  My pain management is not a rigid approach but it first and foremost must also protect my recovery.  I’m always looking for new ways to live with pain flare ups because sometimes they come at the most inconvenient times.

A final word of caution:  Using distracting or avoidance techniques should not be used until you are sure that it won’t make your overall situation worse.  I’ve made that particular mistake many times and ended up causing myself more pain than I needed to have.  Remember, pain is a signal that something is wrong and needs attention.  Unfortunately though, sometimes pain signals get turned on or amplified when no actual damage or danger is present.  Telling the difference is a very important part of ongoing chronic pain management.

To learn more about chronic pain management please check out our website at www.addiction-free.com and go to our Publications page and check out my book Managing Pain and Coexisting Disorders: Using the Addiction-Free Pain Management® System. You can also check out our Articles page to download my free article The Right to Quality Chronic Pain Management.