Seeking help for pain

When should I get further help for pain?

The strategies in this Resource Buddy can be useful for managing both acute and chronic pain. However, sometimes it may be necessary to get further help from a health or medical professional to manage your pain. It’s always best to speak to a trusted adult, such as a parent or caregiver, for advice about seeking further help for pain.  

Some reasons you may want to get further help for pain include:

• You are experiencing pain after an accident (e.g., fall, collision)
• You have signs of an injury that require medical attention (e.g., bleeding, cuts, broken bones)
• You have hit your head
• You are experiencing severe pain
• You are experiencing other symptoms, such as pins and needles, numbness, blurred vision, dizziness, or weakness in your arms and legs
• You have difficulty controlling your bladder and/or bowel
• You’re experiencing ongoing tiredness, feeling unwell, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or unexplained weight loss
• You have pain, swelling and redness in multiple joints
• You have or have had cancer, and you have a new pain
• You are experiencing pain or waking up overnight due to pain
• The pain is getting worse, or not getting any better after a period of rest and/or using these strategies
• Pain is significantly impacting your day-to-day life
• You are experiencing very low mood, anxiety, or other mental health symptoms

Who should I talk to?

• Doctors: Local doctors (GPs) are usually the first person you see when you have symptoms or need treatment. GPs can provide advice about pain, suggest strategies and treatments (including medication if necessary), and manage other medical conditions you may have. They also coordinate your care – this may include sending you for investigations (such as blood tests or scans), referring you to a specialist doctor or other healthcare professional, and supporting you to develop a pain management plan.
• Physiotherapists: Physiotherapists can help you get back to your usual activities using strategies such as exercise, hands-on techniques, advice about posture and movement, and aids such as crutches, taping or braces.
• Psychologists: Psychologists can help you develop strategies to manage worry, stress, thoughts and mood. These strategies can help you manage the impacts of pain, such as sleeping, going to school, and staying connected.
• Occupational Therapists: Occupational Therapists can provide advice and management for getting back to usual activities such as school and hobbies, making schedules, setting goals and setting up your home and school environment.
• Nurses: Nurses can provide advice and support for managing pain, including simple pain management strategies (e.g., medication, distraction) and first aid.  They can also help coordinate your care.

When talking about pain with healthcare professionals, you should:

• Feel you and your situation are understood
• Feel comfortable sharing your thoughts and feelings (not just what your pain is like)
• Be involved in making decisions about your health
• Understand what is being said about your health, and feel comfortable asking questions if you don’t understand what’s being said
• Feel your pain/ health is being taken seriously
• Feel the treatment and advice is specific to you and your situation
• School staff: Teachers, support staff and health professionals (e.g., school nurses and counsellors) can help connect you with the help you need, both within and outside of school.

Our Pain Navigator can give you more support about how to speak with health professionals about your pain.

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