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Managing Chronic Pain

261 views · Published 13 June 2016 · 1:44 · Indexed 27 October 2026

Channel: Lee Health · 2016 · Science & Technology

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It’s a battle millions of people fight every hour of every day. Studies show chronic pain affects 100 million Americans suffering from joint pain like arthritis to traumatic injuries. Health experts at Lee Memorial Health System teach a six week chronic pain workshop to help people better live with chronic pain. 

Sharon Krispinsky, chronic health program coordinator, says the participants are desperate for help. “It could be a traumatic injury, it could be an accident, it could be a fall, arthritis, fibromyalgia, it could be heart pain that they’re suffering from.”

Ed Solomon participated in the workshop and says he found it more helpful than medication. “About a year and a half ago I was involved in an auto accident where I totaled a brand new car. I have constant pain in my right side, hip, my lower back on down through my leg.”

The workshop teaches participants helpful exercises, movements, even foods that will help minimize their pain. 

“It’s really important to understand that food is medicine and part of our activities are surrounded by healthy eating and what particular foods can help with pain,” said Krispinsky. She encourages participants to eat more fruits and vegetables as well as foods that are high in omega threes, like fish. She says other snacks like blackberries and walnuts that are high in antioxidants can help with the pain. 

“Many times you think when you have pain you shouldn’t do activity but that’s absolutely false. When you don’t utilize the muscles and ligaments around the joint, they actually become weaker so there’s less stability around that joint and that actually increases that pain,” said Krispinsky. 

The participants even help one another find ways to mentally and physically cope with pain by sharing their own experiences. 

“One lady suggested, since I have difficulty sleeping, a pillow between your legs to keep it from affecting me and it works great,” said Solomon. 

Health experts say finding ways to relax can help manage chronic pain. 


View More Health Matters video segments at leememorial.org/healthmatters/

Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we’ve been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries.

Visit leememorial.org

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