Top 5 Pain Management Support Communities in 2021

Have you arrived at a place on your chronic pain journey where you feel alone? Discouraged? Worn down? Then it might be time to learn more about chronic pain support groups. 

Finding a group of people who are like you, experiencing the same type of reoccurring pain, can be incredibly validating, uplifting, and empowering. Not only will it serve as a reminder that others are also trying to overcome similar health issues, but it may broaden your perspective and skills when it comes to living successfully with chronic pain. In addition, belonging to a chronic pain community allows for shared information, insights, and tips.

Chronic Pain Support Group Types & Benefits

There are essentially two types of pain management support groups: those that are online and those that are in-person. One of the benefits of finding and joining a chronic pain support group online is that, naturally, you can be a part of it from the comfort of your own home. This is especially helpful if you have trouble getting around or are ill.

Some folks also enjoy the anonymity of an online group. As we all know, sometimes it’s easier to share about difficult or embarrassing situations when we have a computer screen in front of us instead of a group of expectant faces. The flipside, though, is that it may also be harder to establish strong bonds with others in the group if it’s all online. 

The biggest advantage of attending an in-person support group is the personal connections and strong friendships that you’ll likely develop. Although these groups are typically peer-led and run (not by anyone who is medically licensed), they can provide a wonderful forum to talk, share, and empathize with others.

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Our Top 5 Chronic Pain Support Group Recommendations for 2021

There are many different chronic pain management support groups out there. How do you choose the best one for you? Remember that some focus on specific conditions, while others are open to anyone who struggles with chronic pain (even if a condition hasn’t yet been diagnosed). We have put together a list of our five favorite online chronic pain support groups to help you narrow down your choices. 

Mensgroup

As you can tell in part by its name, Mensgroup is an online “self-improvement community for men” that offers discussion forums, topic-specific groups, and one-on-one coaching. It has a pain support group where men gather to discuss health issues, support each other, and share pain management tips and information. If you’re a guy who experiences recurrent pain, it’s worth it to check out Mensgroup to see if it might be helpful to you.    

Chronic Pain Support Group

Unlike the others on this list, the Chronic Pain Support Group is located on Facebook. It’s an active (typically 50+ posts a day) group with around 52,000 members. Its purpose is to give people a place to share their pain stories and to support each other within a positive and inspiring environment. The group is open to anyone who deals with recurrent pain, no matter their condition or even if they aren’t yet diagnosed.   

The Mighty

Billed as an online health community that seeks to “empower and connect people facing health challenges and disabilities,” The Mighty has over 2 million users. When it comes to its chronic pain group, there are over 350,000 participants. With such a massive community and hundreds of contributors who share useful and relatable stories about pain, The Mighty helps many chronic pain sufferers feel better understood and less alone. 

MyChronicPainTeam

A social network for people who experience ongoing pain, the MyChronicPainTeam site offers emotional support and connections with others who are in similar circumstances. There are Q&A pages where users can ask questions that others answer, activity pages where people post pictures, stories, thoughts, and so on, and a “find people like you” option so you can find people who share your diagnosis, age, and/or location.

Lin

A remote health platform for people seeking to end chronic pain, Lin will pair you with a personal health coach who will collaboratively develop and implement a tailored health plan to help tone down your pain. Lin will support you by coordinating care for you and recommending proven pain relief devices and digital health tools, in addition to providing specialty care consultations and dedicated primary care, teaching you effective techniques to handle sleep, depression, anxiety, and PTSD, and so much more. If you’re tired of dealing with pain day in and day out, give Lin and its personalized pain management coaching and customized recommendations a try today.

A Final Word From Lin

Sometimes it’s easy to become so consumed with how you feel that you forget there are other people out there who are tackling the same issues (or even worse). Getting in touch with some of these folks may put things in perspective and remind you that you’re not alone. The connections and friendships you form may also help you feel happier and more supported in your pain journey. Plus, maybe you’ll learn new ways to approach difficulties or to manage your pain based on the recommendations of others who are dealing with similar situations. There are so many benefits to be gained from stepping out of your comfort zone and seeking out a chronic pain support group that fits you. Don’t hesitate — get started today!