The Pain Self-Management Paradox: Why Do We Focus on the Individual When Life Context Plays Such a Major Role?

Abstract

Although there has been a drive toward pain self-management, self-management has not yet in my opinion been successfully defined or evaluated and neither has it been consistently translated from idea to practice. In this perspective article, I identify gaps in our approach to pain management and argue that even though we know life context plays a huge role in influencing our health, by and large we fail to take this into account. I argue for a shift in focus away from the ‘self’ and explore how we might be able to do this within the constraints of our tired and over-stretched health system.

Keywords::

• blame
• collaborment
• persistent pain
• self-management

Acknowledgments

The author thanks the Commissioning Editor for inviting her to write this perspectives piece. She also thanks the anonymous reviewers whose thoughtful comments, critique and suggestions have made this a stronger and clearer paper. Their hard work and attention is very much appreciated.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The author has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.