The Pain Management Jigsaw is a tool that the Fife Pain Management Team have developed to support you to access resources and information that will help you manage your pain.
As pain can affect every aspect of your life, managing it can involve many different approaches which are reflected by the pieces of our jigsaw.
This page covers all the pieces of the Pain Management Jigsaw.
Click on the pieces of the jigsaw below that resonate with your personal pain experience.
Understand your condition
Increase your knowledge and understanding of persistent pain and pain management.
Get involved and reconnect to life
Become an expert in what you can do locally to manage your pain.
Activity management
Understand how your activity levels influence your pain and how to manage them better.
Movement
Keep active and moving. Find out more about the benefits of gentle home exercise, and local opportunities.
Nutrition and lifestyle
Aim for a balanced diet, healthy weight and good hydration to help manage your pain. Avoid any excess.
Managing thoughts and emotions
Living with persistent pain can go hand in hand with difficult thoughts and feelings.
Sleep
Getting a good night's sleep is really important for our wellbeing. Unfortunately, pain can make it hard to get a good night's sleep.
Relaxation and mindfulness
Although not one and the same, relaxation and mindfulness can both be helpful strategies in managing persistent pain.
Setting goals important to you
Set realistic targets and be kind to yourself. Small steps lead to greater success.
Medication
Increase your understanding about your medication. Work with your GP / Pharmacist / Specialist to make sure it is safe and effective.
Communication
It’s important to talk and be honest about how you feel with family and friends. It can also be important to let them know ways that they can support you in living well with pain.
Self management toolbox
Learn about how tools such as heat / cold packs, patches or gels, TENS and cushions may help with your pain.
Flare ups
Develop a plan for a bad day. Adjust your daily activity but always stay active.
Acceptance
Acceptance can be a tricky concept. When we use it we don't mean "giving in to pain" or "giving up", but rather making a choice to focus on doing what really matters to you.
