The Advantages Of Pain Support Groups Online

By Marissa Velazquez


Pain support groups online have many benefits for sufferers. They offer an accessible and convenient way of interacting that can enhance the quality of life experienced by participants. It is often only fellow sufferers who can truly identify with the feelings and emotions being experienced by someone in intense pain and offer comfort and companionship.

Those who experience this type of suffering often feel tremendously guilty about the burden they place on their loved ones. They do not want to burden them even more by subjecting them to all their emotions and feelings. A group like this provides an arena where they can unburden themselves to those in similar situations who will understand their need to vent.

This is not a case of going online to complain and whine or seek attention. Of course, there will always be those who take advantage of such a situation to do just that. However, most sufferers are genuinely concerned about their fellow sufferers and are very supportive because they know what they are experiencing. It is not just the aches and pains that are shared but amusing as well as courageous and uplifting stories.

The participants usually come from a wide diversity of backgrounds and from all over the world. Factors like age, racial identity, gender and social status are not as obvious in such a group. An international pool of experience and companionship is available from which participants can draw. It is even possible to find solutions to practical problems. The problem can be shared and an answer is sure to come from one of the many participants.

Accessibility is one of the main benefits of such a group. Even those who have no access to transport or who are not mobile or bedridden are able to participate. No matter what the circumstance, access to such a group is possible. There are participants available at all times of the day or night, so there is no time, even in the early hours of the morning, when help cannot be accessed.

As these encounters are not face-to-face, this often actually increases the opportunity for self-disclosure and honesty. There is the potential for discussion of embarrassing issues that sufferers may not feel as free to communicate face-to-face. Feeling this freedom to confide can often result in a growth of real intimacy between fellow participants that makes a great difference to their quality of life.

There is also the potential in such a group of being able to help others. People who frequently experience chronic pain do not often have such an opportunity. Reaching out to someone else who has posted a question or just needs company may offer some sense of purpose that would otherwise be missing.

Pain support groups online can do a great deal to enhance the quality of life of a participant. They are particularly relevant in situations where other social interaction is limited. Participants can access help at any time, despite their circumstances, and even help others and improve their lives too. The functioning of such a group is not limited by factors such as where participants live, the time of day or night, or disabilities they may have to cope with.




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