HOW PAIN IS IMPACTED BY OUR SOCIAL CONNECTIONS
When people live with pain, they can become isolated. Isolation can amplify pain in the brain. When people are not socially connected, they tend to do less and focus more on pain.
HOW SOCIAL CONNECTIONS CAN HELP
We can begin to rewire the brain and reduce pain by changing a few habits. Connecting with others helps us be more active, happier, and focused on what matters to us. You can help your patients decide what social activities make the most sense to them.
VIDEO
The video contains all the educational content, so be sure to have the patient watch the entire video.
HANDOUT
Download the handout to learn about:
- What is Social Support
- The Impacts of Isolation and Negative Social Support on Health
- Health Benefits of Strong Social Connections
- Assessment and Treatment
RESOURCES
- Social Support as a Moderator of Life Stress
- Social Relationships and Health: A Flashpoint for Health Policy
- Social Capital in Relation to Depression, Musculoskeletal pain, and Psychosomatic Symptoms: a Cross-Sectional Study of a Large Population-based Cohort of Swedish Adolescents (2010)
- The Impact of Social Isolation on Pain Interference: A Longitudinal Study
- Relationship of Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction to Many of the Leading Causes of Death in Adults – The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study
- Chronic Pain: A Review of its Epidemiology and Associated Factors in Population-based Studies
- Personal Network Analysis in the Study of Social Support: The Case of Chronic Pain
