AUGUST 31 • 2023 | 67
through it. When speaking to
a healthcare professional, this
can make it harder than ever
to be diagnosed with chronic
pain, especially if a child isn’t
exhibiting symptoms.
“Chronic pain isn’t visible,”
Foxen-Craft says. “Whereas
somebody who breaks their
leg might have a cast or
crutches to show they’re ill.”
Ongoing, persistent pain
can trickle all the way down
to the classroom.
“We know kids who have
chronic pain miss school
quite a lot or struggle to
stay in class,” she explains,
“because they’re not feeling
well. Or they might leave
early or come in late.”
Attendance is only one side
effect of chronic pain.
“It might impact their
focus or their ability to retain
or remember information,
or it might make somebody
more withdrawn.”
As a social environment,
the latter can have a
devastating impact on a
child’s school experience.
“We know that school is
hard enough and stressful
enough these days, so adding
pain on top of that just
makes everything harder,”
Foxen-Craft says.
ADDRESSING PAIN
FROM ALL ANGLES
While a child in chronic pain
may not necessarily eliminate
all pain at school, there are
steps parents can take to help
reduce and treat the source of
their child’s pain.
First, of course, is being
aware of the signs of pain,
especially if you have small
children at home who
won’t express themselves as
succinctly as adults.
Then, it’s important to get
an accurate diagnosis. “Pain
is a physical, emotional and
social experience,” Foxen-
Craft says.
Therefore, it’s important
to rule out other illnesses or
medical conditions causing
secondary pain to develop
a comprehensive treatment
plan.
While medical treatment is
crucial, Foxen-Craft says it’s
essential to tackle pain both
physically and mentally. “In
conjunction with medical
treatment, psychological
therapies are an evidence-
based approach for helping
children and teens manage
and cope with their pain,” she
explains.
Working with a physical
therapist can also be helpful
if a child’s movement is
restricted due to pain. All in
all, taking baby steps — and
sometimes big steps — can
help children experience a
memorable school year with
less pain as they return to
school for the season.
Finding balance between
activities and downtime can
be a great way to ensure
children have enough time to
rest while remaining social.
Getting enough sleep and
hydration are also important
for keeping children’s brains
and bodies functioning opti-
mally.
“I’d want children and
families not to have this be
a one-time conversation,”
Foxen-Craft says of navigat-
ing and managing chronic
pain, “but really make a point
to check in regularly with
each other and with their
healthcare team.”
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