PPRC Notes

Difficult Day Plan for Family Members

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This document is courtesy of: Mayo Comprehensive Pain Rehabilitation Center

Difficult Day Plan for Family Members

For patients, see Difficult Day Plan

  1. Continue to take a neutral approach to pain behaviors.

    • Discuss expectations, which include attending school.
    • Promote positive behavior
    • Remove yourself from the situation to continue a neutral response to pain behaviors.
    • Encourage your son or daughter to continue their efforts to diminish pain behaviors. This includes not isolating or avoiding activities or people.

  2. Encourage your son or daughter to take 5 minutes out of every hour to practice slow, deep, diaphragmatic breathing.

    • Your son or daughter should be practicing relaxation techniques for 10-minute sessions at least three times daily.

  3. Suggest taking a comfortable walk for 10 - 15 minutes. Offer to go with them for diversion and support.

  4. Do not eliminate daily exercise; instead, encourage moderation with exercise. Exercise is most important for his/her continued rehabilitation program. • Plan a fun, physical activity together.

  5. Your son or daughter should continue to take medications as prescribed. Don’t add more medication. Avoid mood-altering substances.

  6. Encourage your son or daughter to renew their efforts towards positive self-talk. Review the changes that they have made in their life since coming to the program. • Have your son or daughter review their PRC program Difficult Day Box

  7. Reinforce the fact that although increased discomfort can be stressful, stress can also impact symptoms. Your son or daughter can work through symptoms and stress because they have practiced better ways of managing pain and symptoms.

  8. Encourage your son or daughter to review the Pain Rehabilitation Center Manual. Pick out a chapter that you can read together.

  9. Make a list together of fun, non-strenuous activities that you and your son or daughter can participate in on those difficult days as a way to divert from pain-focused activities.

    • Identify a reward for getting through a difficult day.

  10. All-purpose phrases you can use:

    • “What would Pain Rehab suggest for you to do?”
    • “This too will pass”
    • “Let’s go for a walk/drive/etc.”
    • “You’ve come so far, this is just one difficult day”

  11. Review the Mayo Clinic pamphlet: Chronic Pain or Illness- Maintaining Lifestyle Changes

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