Season 1, Episode 4

Changing the Paradigm on Pain: Chronic Pain Self-Management

Jan 26, 2022

Whether you are dealing with arthritis, an injury or simply aging, chronic pain can be very debilitating. When you practice self-management skills like healthy eating, balancing exercise with rest, appropriate use of medications, and dealing with difficult emotions, you activate your body’s natural defenses to cope with pain. You feel stronger, more resilient and create a more joyful life.

This episode covers a topic that many people grapple with and manage everyday – chronic pain. We have a problem in this country. Millions of people are suffering from chronic pain, and the treatment is often ineffective despite medication, physical therapy, surgery and therapy. So, how do you choose a treatment or intervention that works?

Dr. Paula Smith and Lisa Stockwell share their insights and experience offering alternatives for managing chronic pain. Paula Smith is the director of Southern New Hampshire Area Health Education Center, which holds the license to coordinate the Chronic Pain Self-Management Program. Dr. Smith is responsible for leader training, program fidelity, and outcome evaluation. Lisa Stockwell is a Master Trainer and Leader for the Chronic Pain Self-Management Program.

Explore more on the topics and themes discussed in this episode:

The Partnership @drugfreeNH: Resources and information on strategies to prevent opioid misuse and accidental overdose.

Southern NH Area Health Education Center

Better Choices, Better Health – NH on Facebook

UNH Extension – Chronic Disease Self-Management Program: For program details and dates to register for an in-person or virtual class.

Host & Guests

Featured Guest:

Dr. Paula Smith, Lisa Stockwell

Host: Christin D’Ovidio

Transcript

Episode Transcript (PDF)

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Paula Smith, MBA, EdD, Director, Southern NH AHEC, Contract Administrator, Seacoast Public Health Network, has been responsible for overseeing activities of the Southern New Hampshire Area Health Education Center (SNHAHEC). In this role, she is responsible for program development, financial management and overseeing staff who work to increase access to quality health care in southern NH.  For more than twenty years, Dr. Smith has been instrumental in developing programs that enhance workforce diversity, communication access and cultural effectiveness.  Dr. Smith has worked to promote self-management education since 2009, and the SNHAHEC acts as the Central Coordinating Entity for the NH Chronic Disease Self-Management Network, a group of health and social service organizations who act as leaders for self-management programing.  Southern NH AHEC holds the multi-program license from the Self-Management Resource Center (SMRC) to offer evidence-based programming on chronic disease, chronic pain, and diabetes self-management.

Lisa Stockwell, M.Ed., has over 20 years of experience as a trainer, educator, healing arts facilitator and coach working with organizations, groups and individuals on topics related to positive behavior change, mindfulness, stress reduction and motivational interviewing. She believes that the style of the conversation is essential in helping clients move toward change that will improve their quality of life. Ms. Stockwell is a certified Train-the-Trainer and Life Coach. She is a trainer in Motivational Interviewing and a member of MINT (Motivational Interviewing International Trainers), Master Trainer in SMRC -Stanford Chronic Disease and Pain Self-Management Program for workplaces, groups, and individuals to manage their chronic condition (non-clinical). Ms. Stockwell is an engaging and lively speaker and storyteller for conferences, organizations, and groups. www.lisastockwellcoaching.com

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