Even if you become an expert at planning activities according to baselines, there will still be occasions when you have flare-ups. Situations may arise when you have to respond without being able to plan effectively and you may overdo things. One morning you may wake up after lying in an awkward position and find your pain has flared up.

Accepting the problem

People on pain management programmes have said that, prior to attending the course, their only way of dealing with a flare-up was to give up on activities, rest, take more medication and wait until the pain settled down again. As many of you will have experienced, this can leave you frustrated, fed up and feeling that you have little or no control. You may also find that the next time you try the activity the pain returns, but more quickly.