How do I Choose the Best Chronic Pain Support Group?

If you suffer from a chronic pain condition, a chronic pain support group may be able to help you cope with your condition. When choosing a support group, you may want to keep your eye out for groups that have members with conditions similar to your own as well as those that are conveniently located close to where you live. If you are searching out an online group, you may want to join an online chronic pain support group that has strong moderation to maximize productive conversation within the group. You may also want to consider whether you prefer to join a group that is peer led or run by a health care professional.

Chronic pain can affect your life on many levels, and it may also affect the lives of your family members. A good chronic pain support group should provide support and resources for coping with the effects of pain on your work, relationships, and ability to engage in daily self-care. Depending on your resources, you may also want to plug in with a chronic pain support group that can help you find referrals to different specialists or information about new treatments. You may also want to ask if the group includes family members in group meetings or is connected with a family member support group.

You may want to your doctor if he knows of any chronic pains support groups in your area. Sometimes medical support groups meet in hospitals or medical buildings. If you join a group that is close to your doctor's office, you can cut down on your travel time, which may be important if you experience heightened pain while in a car or using public transit. Your doctor's office staff may also have recommendations, as may a hospital social worker or chaplain.

An online chronic pain support group is accessible at any time, and you won't need to leave your home to participate in the group. Some of these support groups can be very specialized in nature, so you may be able to find a group that includes members with your specific condition. As with all online groups, there is the risk of individuals abusing the group for the purpose of harassing members or attempting to market a product or service. Find out who sponsors or moderates an online chronic pain support group before investing yourself in it to avoid disappointment or bad advice.