PainGuide Overview
Welcome to PainGuide. We are glad that you are using this resource as part of your personal approach for managing chronic pain.
PainGuide was developed by the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center at the University of Michigan in collaboration with many individuals who have chronic pain and with pain experts both Nationally and Internationally. It represents a comprehensive and up-to-date resource for learning about and applying evidence-based approaches for chronic pain management.
In order to treat pain successfully it is helpful to understand how pain works in the body, what can make it worse, and what can make it better. To this end, PainGuide describes the various types of pain and the bodily processes that can produce or reduce pain.
Many forms of pain treatment are delivered by a professional (e.g. physician, physical therapist, occupational therapist, psychologist, etc.) So as to educate users about these treatment options, PainGuide provides education about (1) what these treatments do and how they work on pain, (2) what to expect when receiving one of these interventions, and (3) the risks and benefits of each intervention.
Some forms of pain treatment do not require a professional therapist and can be used directly by the person experiencing pain. These are often referred to as “self-management techniques.” PainGuide provides “how-to” descriptions and resources for using a variety of self-management techniques. It is important to note that professionally-delivered therapies often work best when combined with self-management techniques.
It can be useful to monitor pain and symptoms associated with pain (e.g., sleep problems, bad moods, fatigue, memory problems) over time. As you use various pain treatments this monitoring can help to identify which techniques are working best for you. PainGuide offers a secure login if you want to use these monitoring tools, store your symptom data online, and chart your symptoms over time.
If you want to read more about pain and its treatment or want to use other high quality approaches to pain management, PainGuide offers a library of pain articles as well as links to collaborative pain management resources that you might find useful.
Finally, PainGuide is designed to be used over time. Unlike a structured program, where you are expected to complete formal assignments in a specific time period, PainGuide is more of a textbook on how to create your pathway for personalized pain care. By definition, chronic pain can be long-term and you are likely to encounter both resolution and challenges with your pain at different points in your life. PainGuide is a resource that you can return to whenever you want or need to modify your approach to pain management.
We hope that you find PainGuide helpful. It is one important element of your personalized plan for pain care.
Contributors to PainGuide:
Executive Team
David Williams, Ph.D. Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, University of Michigan
Daniel Clauw, M.D. Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, University of Michigan
Daniel Whibley, Ph.D. University of Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom
Afton Hassett, Psy.D. Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, University of Michigan
Anna Kratz, Ph.D. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan
PainGuide Advisory Group (Contributors)
Suzie As-Sanie, M.D. Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan
Kevin Boehnke, Ph.D. Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, University of Michigan
Jim and Linda Bright. Patient advocates and Spiritual Ministries, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Chad Brummett, M.D. Anesthesiology, University of Michigan
Helen Burgess, Ph.D. Psychiatry, University of Michigan
Lin Chang, M.D. Gastroenterology, UCLA
J. Quentin Clemens, M.D. Urology, University of Michigan
Emily Foxen-Craft, Ph.D. Pediatrics, University of Michigan
Jenna Goesling, Ph.D. Anesthesiology, University of Michigan.
Norman Harden, M.D. Neurology, Northwestern University
Richard Harris, Ph.D. Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, University of Michigan
Lynn Henry, M.D., Ph.D. Oncology, University of Michigan
Michael Hooten, M.D. Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic
Mary Janevik, Ph.D. School of Public Health, University of Michigan
Clare Kuisell, RN, Ph.D. Nursing, University of Michigan
Eric Lake, LLP, CADC. Pain Rehabilitation, Mary Free Bed Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Mark Lumley, Ph.D. Psychology, Wayne State University
Bill Maixner, DDS, Ph.D. Anesthesiology, Duke University
Andrew Marsh, Cert MDT, PT. Physical Therapy, University of Michigan
Lindsey McKernan, Ph.D. Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University
Susan Murphy, ScD, OTR. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan
Bruce Naliboff, Ph.D. Psychiatry, UCLA
Andrea Newman, MA Psychology, University of Alabama, Birmingham
Andrea Nicol, M.D., MSc, FASA. Anesthesiology, University of Kansas
Barbara Reed, M.D. Family Medicine, University of Michigan
Jill Schneiderhan, M.D. Family Medicine, University of Michigan
Eric Scott, Ph.D. Pediatrics, University of Michigan
Beverly Thorn, Ph.D., ABPP Psychology, University of Alabama, Birmingham
Sarah Till, M.D. Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan
Shuji Tsuda, MD, Ph.D. School of Public Health, University of Michigan
Chris Veasley, B.S. Chronic Pain Research Alliance
Suzanna Zick, N.D., M.P.H. Family Medicine, University of Michigan
Technical Team
Michigan Media
Stakeholders and Sponsors
The Stoltz Family