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Learn useful strategies for chronic pain management

An elderly woman assists an old man in pain

URBANA, Ill. — Pain is the body's warning signal that something is wrong. Patients and physicians collaborate to identify and treat the underlying cause at the first signs. However, over time, patients may be diagnosed with chronic pain. According to the U.S. Pain Foundation, 50 million American adults suffer from chronic pain. This is challenging in many ways, but leading a full and productive life is still possible if people learn to manage it effectively.

University of Illinois Extension offers the Take Charge of Your Pain webinar series, a group class designed to help participants manage their symptoms and live healthily with chronic pain. Participants will learn strategies in medication management, nutrition, pain relief, and physical activity, fostering mutual support and building confidence to lead active, fulfilling lives.

"The concepts covered in Take Charge of Your Pain will provide participants with tools to help them live a better quality of life," says Robin Ridgley, family life educator.

Event Details

The webinars will be held weekly for six weeks in 2.5-hour sessions from 9 to 11:30 am. with a built-in break.

Session dates:

  • February 28.
  • March 7, 14, 21 and 28.
  • April 4.

Topics include but are not limited to:

  • Medication management.
  • Nutrition.
  • Pain management.
  • Physical activity.

Attendance:
This evidence-based program requires full attendance, and it is designed for individuals aged 18 and older who are living with chronic pain.
The series is free, but registration is required. Register at go.illinois.edu/ManagingPain.

For more information or if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, contact Robin Ridgley at rridgley@Illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.


SOURCE: Robin Ridgley, family life educator, Illinois Extension

WRITER: Herbert Chavez, media communications coordinator, Illinois Extension. 

About Extension

University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.