Lee Health's New Chronic Pain Course Teaches You to Manage Your Own Pain—Here's What's Included

Lee Health in Southwest Florida is launching self-management courses designed to help people with chronic pain conditions take an active role in their own care. The program, coordinated by Sharon Krispinsky at Lee Health's Chronic Health programs department, provides patients with evidence-based tools and strategies to manage their pain more effectively without relying solely on medications.

What Chronic Pain Conditions Does This Program Address?

The self-management course targets several of the most common chronic pain conditions that affect millions of Americans. These conditions often persist for months or years and can significantly impact daily life, work, and relationships. By offering structured education and practical strategies, Lee Health aims to empower patients to become active participants in their own pain management journey.

• Arthritis: A degenerative joint condition that causes inflammation, stiffness, and pain in the joints, affecting mobility and daily activities.
• Fibromyalgia: A condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances that can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
• Back Pain: One of the most common chronic pain conditions, often resulting from injury, poor posture, or degenerative disc disease.
• Migraines: Severe, recurring headaches that can be debilitating and often require comprehensive management strategies beyond medication alone.

How Does Self-Management Training Help Chronic Pain Sufferers?

The self-management approach represents a shift in how chronic pain is treated. Rather than waiting for doctors to prescribe solutions, patients learn to understand their pain better and develop personalized strategies to reduce its impact on their lives. Sharon Krispinsky, the coordinator for Chronic Health programs at Lee Health, emphasizes that the course provides people with practical tools to care for their pain independently. This empowerment-based approach has been shown to improve outcomes and help patients feel more in control of their condition.

Self-management courses typically teach patients about pain physiology, stress reduction techniques, activity pacing, and how to communicate effectively with their healthcare providers. By understanding the mechanisms behind their pain and learning evidence-based coping strategies, patients can reduce their reliance on medications and improve their overall quality of life. The structured nature of these courses ensures that participants receive consistent, evidence-based education rather than relying on scattered advice from various sources.

Lee Health's initiative reflects a growing recognition in the healthcare community that chronic pain management works best when patients are educated partners in their own care. The courses are designed to be accessible and practical, giving people real-world strategies they can implement immediately to manage their symptoms and improve their daily functioning.

Why Should You Consider Enrolling in a Pain Self-Management Program?

If you're living with chronic pain from arthritis, fibromyalgia, back pain, or migraines, a self-management course can provide you with evidence-based tools that go beyond traditional medical treatment alone. These programs help you understand your condition better, develop coping strategies tailored to your specific situation, and take an active role in improving your quality of life. For residents of Southwest Florida, Lee Health's chronic pain self-management courses offer a structured, professional approach to learning these valuable skills directly from healthcare experts.