Upon arrival of the initial visit to John’s house, it was clear that his illness with chronic pain was quite severe and he needed his pain management viewed by the community nurse to help him live a happier and healthier life. Chronic pain is complex, however, for the purpose of this essay the topics that the community nurse will focus on are: pain management, including specific education of the importance of medication compliance, the significance of Johns physical, emotional and social health which includes his sleep patterns and his mental health. The second priority area for this essay is John’s mobility; this paper will discuss how and why seeking help from a health care professional such as a physiotherapist can have long term benefits
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According to a Journal article “Depression and Chronic pain” written by Alex Holmes, Nicholas Christelis and Carolyn Arnold, Chronic pain is reported by 18.6% of Australian adults and the development of chronic pain has been associated with a range of physical, psychological and social risk factors (Holmes, Christelis & Nicholas, 2012). Upon the initial assessment visit, John had expressed to the community nurse that he had often shown signs of depression through this ongoing ability of not being able to do the activities he once did, this is consistent with the journal article “depression and chronic pain”, as goes on to say that “the daily challenges of chronic pain that are commonly described include decreased enjoyment of normal activities, loss of function, role change and relationship difficulties” (Holmes, Christelis & Nicholas, 2012). In order to help John become less frustrated at thing such as moving around the house, the community nurse may need to look at mobility aids such as a walking frame and or hand rails to be put in place around the house. The hand rails would give John more confidence when he is mobile but also provide him with peace of mind and that support that he may need to keep moving, thus making him less frustrated. (Arsenault, Mahafas & Gulanick, …show more content…
John has stated that he is at a point in his illness where if he doesn’t exercise his joints are becoming stiff and somewhat frozen, however, on the other hand, if he is trying to be active with his grandchildren, he experiences flair ups in pain. It’s understandable that patients with chronic pain fear worsening their pain by moving, but what most sufferers of chronic pain don’t realise is that maintaining mobility is essential if function is to be preserved for the present and the future (Pohl, 2013). The community nurse needs to prioritise and educate John on the importance of starting up his physiotherapy sessions again. Physiotherapists can assist patients with chronic pain to safely optimise their level of physical activity. They also help people with chronic pain to safely and effectively manage their own care (National Health Priority Action Council, 2009). If John were to continue with his physiotherapy, his bilateral leg weakness and bilateral muscle wasting may improve or at least, be better managed (Hunter, 2012). It is clear from John’s statement that being still for too long, such as sitting on the plane for his work, or sitting around the home for extended periods of time often exacerbate his pain. With the help of a physiotherapist, John will be able to be given an exercise plan that is specific to his needs and level of
According to a Journal article “Depression and Chronic pain” written by Alex Holmes, Nicholas Christelis and Carolyn Arnold, Chronic pain is reported by 18.6% of Australian adults and the development of chronic pain has been associated with a range of physical, psychological and social risk factors (Holmes, Christelis & Nicholas, 2012). Upon the initial assessment visit, John had expressed to the community nurse that he had often shown signs of depression through this ongoing ability of not being able to do the activities he once did, this is consistent with the journal article “depression and chronic pain”, as goes on to say that “the daily challenges of chronic pain that are commonly described include decreased enjoyment of normal activities, loss of function, role change and relationship difficulties” (Holmes, Christelis & Nicholas, 2012). In order to help John become less frustrated at thing such as moving around the house, the community nurse may need to look at mobility aids such as a walking frame and or hand rails to be put in place around the house. The hand rails would give John more confidence when he is mobile but also provide him with peace of mind and that support that he may need to keep moving, thus making him less frustrated. (Arsenault, Mahafas & Gulanick, …show more content…
John has stated that he is at a point in his illness where if he doesn’t exercise his joints are becoming stiff and somewhat frozen, however, on the other hand, if he is trying to be active with his grandchildren, he experiences flair ups in pain. It’s understandable that patients with chronic pain fear worsening their pain by moving, but what most sufferers of chronic pain don’t realise is that maintaining mobility is essential if function is to be preserved for the present and the future (Pohl, 2013). The community nurse needs to prioritise and educate John on the importance of starting up his physiotherapy sessions again. Physiotherapists can assist patients with chronic pain to safely optimise their level of physical activity. They also help people with chronic pain to safely and effectively manage their own care (National Health Priority Action Council, 2009). If John were to continue with his physiotherapy, his bilateral leg weakness and bilateral muscle wasting may improve or at least, be better managed (Hunter, 2012). It is clear from John’s statement that being still for too long, such as sitting on the plane for his work, or sitting around the home for extended periods of time often exacerbate his pain. With the help of a physiotherapist, John will be able to be given an exercise plan that is specific to his needs and level of