Persistent or Chronic Pain is a REAL problem – affecting millions of people throughout the world. In Canada and the U.S., it is the most frequent reason for being off work.

And persistent pain is the main reason why people make an appointment with their health provider (family doctor, physiotherapist, chiropractor etc.)

Don’t Go to the Ouch is a website that will provide you with information about invisible feelings like pain and other nuisance, annoying and possibly frightening sensations.

Learning how to better control your symptoms (feelings) and understanding how your body moves is the main focus of Don’t Go to The Ouch!

The posted videos will elaborate on the principles and methods noted in the website.

Several of the reasons why people attend with their health provider for pain/ symptom management are noted in the Section SPECIAL TOPICS. Information is provided on Neck and Back Pain (Spinal Problems), Soft Tissue Pain, Osteoporosis, Fibromyalgia, Acquired (Traumatic) Brain Injury and Stress. It is neither a complete or a detailed list and ‘other’ topics will be discussed as requested. Applying the pain/ symptom management principles noted in this website may help you better manage the problems caused by these conditions.

Pain is a feeling – an experience that no one else can feel except you. Your pain (or other difficult to explain feelings) cannot be compared to anyone elses’.

Because the ‘feeling you do not like’ can have a physical, emotional or other cause, we will try to NOT to use the word pain.

The symbol  will be used to describe any uncomfortable, annoying, distressing, frightening or confusing feelings you are experiencing. And since everyone’ problem is unique, each person must develop their own daily schedule (that means 24/7) to control or manage their symptoms.

There is no cure for a chronic pain problem. But, by learning to better control/manage symptoms, you will over time find that you have longer periods of feeling better and staying active.

Integrating good pain / symptom management principles into your day is a life-long process. The same exercise guidelines will apply to ALL activities that involve movement- from getting dressed, to doing your household and work chores, to your regular exercise program.

And understanding how to better control symptoms using conservative means of management – (not only medication), will allow you to remain active and engaged in your daily life.

Who can benefit from the information in this website?

The elite athlete or the person who just ‘does not like or is fearful of that feeling called pain’ may find the content helpful.

Although the information posted may appear simple and straight-forward to some people- applying the  management techniques when we are ‘in pain or not feeling well’ can be complicated and frustrating. And there may be times when our usual way of managing our  is just not working.

There are many resources on pain and pain management as well as exercise programs available on different platforms, websites and in books. Several will be noted in the Section on RESOURCES.

This website will help you better understand how to apply that information to YOUR own unique circumstances.

If your  was caused by a malignancy or another challenging problem, understanding how to better control your symptoms may help you become more comfortable.