Addressing your pain early after a motor vehicle accident injury can be an effective way to help prevent chronic pain. This starts with being informed and playing a central role in managing your pain experience through proactive engagement with your healthcare professional(s).

There are a variety of ways you can address your pain to assist with your recovery, so it is important that you discuss the best approach for you with your treating healthcare professional(s).

Some of the ways you and your healthcare professional(s) may approach your pain recovery include:

  • Improving your understanding of pain, your pain experience and its contributing factors
  • Engaging in physical therapy
  • Engaging in formal or low intensity psychological therapy
  • Implementing self-management strategies
  • Medication

For further information about being proactive about your pain, read this fact sheet by the Pain Revolution.

Partnering with your healthcare professionals

One of the most important aspects of partnering with your healthcare professional(s) is communication. Open communication may lead to a better understanding of your pain experience, including what strategies are most and least likely to help with your recovery.

Some helpful tips for partnering with your healthcare professional(s) may include:

Planning ahead

  • Write down or record on your phone your worries and concerns.
  • If you would like another person to go with you, ask them in advance.
  • Prepare a list of questions you want to ask and write them down or record them on your phone before you go.
  • Think about what outcomes you want to achieve from the consultation.

During the consultation

  • Provide information, even if you think it may not be relevant i.e. past medical history, current medications, emotional wellbeing, social support.
  • Be open and honest about your pain experience, including your beliefs, worries and expectations.
  • Participate in decisions about your treatment.
  • Ask all the questions you thought of beforehand and others that come to you. No question is too small and there are no silly questions when it comes to your health and wellbeing.
  • If you don’t understand something you are told, ask for it to be explained in a different way.

After the consultation

  • Write down or record on your phone what you need to do.
  • If you have a support person, explain to them what you need to do.
  • Commit to practising any self-management strategies you have been provided.
  • Continue to improve your knowledge and understanding of your pain experience.

To learn more about self-management strategies you can read more on the BetterHealth website.

What about medication?

Medication may play a role in managing your acute pain but in most circumstances it may not be enough on its own to manage chronic pain. Understanding what medication you are being prescribed, and why, is important in managing your pain recovery.

Ask your healthcare professional(s) about the safe use of pain medications. Make sure they know about any other medications you are taking.

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