- Talk to your doctor about suitable medicines such as mild pain medicines and how the physical, emotional and social consequences of chronic pain affect how you cope with the pain.
- Become more actively involved in managing your pain. This has been shown to help reduce pain. Learning how pain works can help you think about the pain differently and increase your confidence to do daily activities.
- Try psychological therapies to change the way you think about and respond to pain.
- Consider complementary therapies, such as creative therapies or meditation.
- Set small goals if pain stops you from enjoying your daily activities. Gradually increase your activity, e.g. if it hurts to walk, start by walking to the front gate, then to the corner, and then to the bus stop up the road.
- Go for a walk and do some gentle stretching every day. Movement will keep your muscles conditioned and help you deal with the pain.
- Pace your activities during the day, and include rest and stretch breaks.
- Include relaxation techniques in your daily routine. These may improve how well other pain relief methods work and also help you sleep.
- Build a network of people who can help you. This may include family, friends and volunteers.
- See our general section on Living well after cancer.
- Listen to our relaxation and meditation podcast below.
→ READ MORE: Pain and advanced cancer
Meditation and Relaxation Podcast
Listen to more of our meditation and relaxation podcast for people affected by cancer
Video: Exercise and cancer
More resources
Professor Paul Glare, Chair of Pain Medicine, Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW (clinical update); Dr Tim Hucker, Pain Specialist, Northern Beaches Hospital, Director, Northern Beaches Pain Management, NSW (clinical update); Dr Keiron Bradley, Palliative Care Consultant, Bethesda Health Care, WA; A/Prof Anne Burke, Co-Director Psychology, Central Adelaide Local Health Network, President, Australian Pain Society, Statewide Chronic Pain Clinical Network, SA, School of Psychology, The University of Adelaide, SA; Tumelo Dube, Accredited Pain Physiotherapist, Michael J Cousins Pain Management and Research Centre, Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW; Prof Paul Glare (see above); Andrew Greig, Consumer; Annette Lindley, Consumer; Prof Melanie Lovell, Palliative Care Specialist HammondCare, Sydney Medical School and The University of Technology Sydney, NSW; Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Melanie Proper, Pain Management Specialist Nurse Practitioner, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, QLD; Dr Alison White, Palliative Medicine Specialist and Director of Hospice and Palliative Care Services, St John of God Health Care, WA.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
