Get help managing your chronic pain this free, six-week online class with Countryside YMCA. Register now online to reserve your spot!

Countryside YMCA Offers Free, Online Self-Management Program for Chronic Pain Sufferers

About 50 million US adults have chronic pain, and it is one of the most common reasons adults seek medical care. For those suffering from chronic pain, a self-management education program may help them control pain. Countryside YMCA is offering a six-week online workshop for self-management of chronic pain starting August 11 through the Council on Aging. This is a free class available to anyone in the Warren County community.

Register Now!

What is Chronic Pain? 

Chronic pain is discomfort that persists for three months or more and it happens for many reasons. Chronic pain may be the result of chronic conditions (e.g. arthritis and diabetes), autoimmune disorders (e.g. lupus), past injuries, and other reasons. For some people with chronic pain, there may not be obvious evidence of an underlying reason.

Chronic pain can limit quality of life.  Pain can negatively impact physical, mental, sexual, and cardiovascular health. In addition, it can interfere with a person’s ability to complete daily activities, think clearly, sleep, and manage mood. It can also lead to increased physician visits, medication use, challenges with going to work, and hospital stays.

What can be done to self-manage chronic pain? 

“There is no one treatment or approach that is right for everybody. However, there are several things people can do to feel better,” said Cara Ebel YMCA member coach and workshop facilitator.  “These things will not eliminate pain, but they will help you better manage pain, and help chronic pain sufferers become more active and more involved in life.”

Participants will cover these topics during the workshop:

  • Techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain, and isolation.
  • Appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance.
  • Appropriate use of medications.
  • Communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals.
  • Managing depression.
  • Better breathing techniques.
  • Relaxation techniques.
  • Healthy eating habits.
  • Making good decisions about your health.
  • How to evaluate new treatments.

Overall, participants learn skills to problem solve, make decisions about key aspects of their chronic pain, and create action plans. “With knowledge and through experimentation, participants can determine which self-management tools and techniques are best for themselves,” said Ebel.

While overcoming chronic pain is a daily challenge, a self-management workshop like this one can be helpful in providing tools to help handle pain.

Chronic Pain Self-Managment Class Options 
 Tuesdays August 11 through September 22  10:00am - 12:30pm
 Tuesdays  August 11 through September 22 2:00pm - 4:30pm

Go HERE to register for this free workshop, or contact Cara Ebel at Cara.Ebel@ymcastaff.org.