Stroke Training and Awareness Resources (STARs)

Bev visits Bob

Bev visits Bob. Bob tells her that he is still having problems with pain and she makes a number of suggestions.

She also suggests the following:

Support services: Including counselling, strategies to manage mood, anxiety, anger, frustration, acceptance therapy, coping and positive thinking strategies: Living Life to the Full,   self help 4 stroke.

Carers support: CHSS Advice Line (0808 801 0899),  Stroke 4 carers.

Chronic pain services: These are usually multidisciplinary services including psychology, which use a group or individual approach. Be advised that this may require a medical referral to these services.

Keeping active: local exercise classes and information: CHSS Essential Guide: Physical Activity [PDF]

Would help

Avoid draughts

Extreme temperatures can exacerbate CPSP.

Change the shower temperature

Extreme temperatures can exacerbate CPSP.

Take medication regularly

Regular pain medication helps to control the pain.

Try relaxation exercises

Stress and anxiety can increase CPSP; relaxation may help to reduce this.

Participate in hobbies/enjoyable activities

These may act as a distraction thus reducing pain.

Pace activities

Overdoing activities at an early stage may exacerbate pain, pacing and gradually increasing activity levels should help prevent this.

 

Would NOT help

Increase the force of water in shower

The force of the water can increase pain.

Wear woolly jumpers

Woolly jumpers can be scratchy and therefore can increase pain.

Wear loose clothing

Constant stimulation from loose clothes moving against skin may increase pain.

Increase weight of duvet

A heavier duvet may increase pain due to increased pressure on the skin.

Page last reviewed: 02 Feb 2022