For those potentially participating in our pain management programs, please begin keeping some sort of daily journal (diary). And, in this journal please:
1. List daily activities such as exercising, house chores, cooking , laying around, yard work, shopping, etc..
2. List the times throughout the day that you actually are taking your medications for pain control
3. List the location of your painful areas you experience throughout the day
4. Write down pain levels that you experience throughout the day/night 0-10 with the 10 being highest
You can start the journal keeping now or immediately after your first visit with us. This is an expectation that we have of you, unless we say otherwise
Many of our patients use "apps" (applications typically downloaded to a device such as cell phone or tablet) in order to do this quite nicely. The information can later be sent to our group in a number of ways you may find the following links to apps useful (we do not intend to recommend any of these applications and provide these links only for you to review. Certainly there are numerous others to choose from. However, do keep in mind that the choice of "app" needs to be one that will allow you to transfer the stored information to our group so that we can place it in your electronic file. Transfer of files may take place at the time the intake forms are completed or at the actual office visit: www.mypaintrackerapp.com, www.catchmypain.com, www.managinglife.com,
The purpose of the journal is to monitor and keep a more accurate daily account of lifestyle and activities as they may certainly affect chronic pain cycles. This is not a "punishment" or just some extra work for you; (our healthcare team does review these journals) we are quite serious about them. As well, maintenance of these journals does help to keep some level of client and provider accountability and responsibility to the process of long term management. Over the years this method has really shown that a more thorough and effective approach of and for management is enabled.
The journal information really should be kept nearly daily
START KEEPING THE JOURNAL NOW. Please remember to bring the journal to each visit. It is an important piece and part to your visits with our providers . Please be sure to bring it along with current medication(s) and its bottles- even if the bottles are empty- to each appointment.
Be sure to ask any questions that you may have about the journal, or anything else during your apppointment time or via electronic or other messaging as available.