Managing pain—whether it's your own or supporting someone else through it—requires practical tools and compassionate awareness.
At some point in our lives, every one of us encounters pain. Unfortunately, some people endure it more frequently and for longer periods. For those experiencing chronic pain—lasting more than three months—it can lead to feelings of hopelessness and a sense of being overwhelmed.
The most recent CDC data on pain shows that nearly 35% of the U.S. population reports experiencing chronic pain, with 24% reporting chronic pain and 8.5% reporting high-impact chronic pain. Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for more than three months, while high-impact chronic pain refers to pain experienced on most days or every day over the past three months (National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey, 2023).
A few facts about pain management:
- Mental health support can help build resilience in the face of pain
- Resources that relieve stress can help manage pain
- Both physical therapy and psychotherapy can help decrease pain
Living with chronic pain can interfere with our daily living, but small, everyday habits can play a powerful role in managing it.
Nobody should feel alone when dealing with chronic pain. Below are resources that we have curated for you. In particular, please check out the Power Over Pain Portal that can direct you to resources for your particular pain needs. Duke Clergy Health Initiative colleague and pain expert Joshua Rash, PhD, collaborates on this portal on which most resources are freely available.
Tame the Beast - Rethinking pain
Tame the Beast is a free, evidence-based educational resource created by pain experts to help people better understand and manage chronic pain. Developed by Prof. Lorimer Moseley, Dave Moen, and Sam Chisholm, it combines science, storytelling, and practical tools through animation—all designed to offer hope and guide recovery.
Educational resources on pain management
LivePlanBe+ is a free online tool by Pain British Columbia, Canada, that helps people manage chronic pain with expert-backed resources. Created with input from pain sufferers and healthcare providers, it offers practical support when life takes an unexpected turn.