The American Academy of Pain Management’s core purpose is to transform the current paradigm of care for those living with pain from one that focuses on disease and relies largely on single modality treatment through medications or procedures to one that is:

  • Person-centered (with open communication between the patient and the clinician)
  • Considers the whole person (mind, body, and spirit, and in the context of his/her community)
  • Encourages healthful lifestyle changes as part of the first line of treatment to restore wellness
  • Brings together all appropriate modalities/approaches/clinicians to achieve these aims
  • Encourages a team approach (with you, as the patient, serving as an active member of the team)

As much as possible, the Academy encourages you to:

  • Take control of your overall health and the management of your pain. Start by making healthful lifestyle changes such as eating well, moving/exercising, reducing stress, etc.
  • Insist on a thorough assessment and a treatment plan that includes options.
  • Insist on care that is person-centered and tailored to your individual needs. The plan should consider who you are—in mind, body, and spirit, and in the context of your environment, not just what condition you may have. Insist on care in which there is open communication between you and your health care providers.
  • Understand that there is no single medication or procedure that will make you better. Learn about and consider all appropriate modalities (both conventional and complementary and alternative), approaches, and clinicians to achieve wellness (including your physical and mental health, function, and meaning and purpose).
  • Get engaged. Get active. As much as possible, start doing things that bring pleasure and meaning to your life.
  • Above all, understand that there is hope—that you can get better. You can become stronger and healthier in your body and mind, and with that, regain function, reduce your pain, and restore meaning and pleasure to your life.

Resources

The Academy can help you find resources and professionals for managing your pain: