Emotion: People who suffer from chronic pain experience emotions associated with pain such as anger, fear, anxiety and depression.

An emotional response to pain is normal.  Dealing with those responses, both for you and your family in a productive and self-helpful manner, is necessary to good pain management.

Education: Pain can be seriously disruptive of a person's personal, family and employment life.  It is important for you to understand the symptoms and become as educated as possible about pain management issues, as with any other medical condition. While acute pain can be more easily managed in most circumstances, treatment of chronic pain can fall short of complete elimination of pain. Improved pain management is cost-effective which is a reason to elevate the importance of pain management.

Patients Rights: A Joint Commission On Accreditation Of Healthcare Organizations standard addresses an individual's right to involvement in all aspects of his or her care. As a patient, you are entitled to ask your doctor or nurse what to expect regarding pain and pain management, discuss pain relief options and work with your doctor or nurse to develop a pain management plan.