Paintracking

Living well with chronic pain

by Deborah Barrett, Ph.D.

The Healing Powers of Sex

The most common advice on how to approach sex when you suffer from chronic pain is...carefully. The typical message is that intimacy is challenging and uncomfortable but ultimately worth it for the sake of the relationship. However, this advice neglects evidence that sexual intimacy may reduce pain which means that chronic pain may be more reason, not less, to engage in sensual acts. Read More

Treat Chronic Pain as an Ongoing Experiment

Chronic pain is often accompanied by a frustrating level of uncertainty and many vexing questions: Why did I have such a great day yesterday, but hurt like the dickens today? Is there a medication or combination of medications that will relieve my symptoms? What about exercise? Can I develop a realistic fitness program that helps? How about other strategies to feel better? Read More

Deborah Barrett, Ph.D., MSW, LCSW is a clinical associate professor in the School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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