What lifestyle changes could help improve my pain and daily function?
Health Conditions
Chronic pain
Focus on feeling and functioning better
Chronic pain is complex and often involves more than a single injury or diagnosis. Sleep, physical activity, nutrition, stress, connectedness, and mental well-being can all influence how pain affects your daily life. Lifestyle medicine works alongside medical care to help improve function, build resilience, and regain confidence in their daily lives.
Proactive care
Chronic pain can be influenced by physical, emotional, behavioral, and social factors, including:
- Poor sleep
- Chronic stress
- Physical inactivity or loss of conditioning
- Muscle weakness and reduced mobility
- Nutrition and metabolic health
- Social isolation
- Fear of movement and other factors that can make activity more difficult
These factors can interact over time. For example, pain may make it harder to move, while less movement can lead to reduced strength and function. Lifestyle medicine addresses these factors alongside medical care that helps diagnose, monitor, and treat your pain.
Questions to ask your care team
How can I safely become more physically active as part of my care?
How might sleep and stress be affecting my pain?
What other approaches could complement my current treatment plan?
What additional support could help me, such as physical therapy, behavioral health support, a health coach, or a care team?
6 Ways to Take Control of Your Health
A quick overview of six lifestyle areas that can support better health and help reduce chronic disease risk.
Best for: People who want a simple starting point for improving their health.
Use with your clinician: Bring questions like, “Which of these six areas should I focus on first?” to your next visit.
Important: You do not need to change everything at once. Choose one meaningful and manageable next step.
First Steps to Health Restoration
A practical starting guide for using evidence-based lifestyle habits to address root causes and move toward better health.
Best for: People ready to take an active role in preventing, treating, or potentially improving a chronic condition.
Use with your clinician: Bring questions like, “What is the safest and most meaningful first step for improving my health?” to your next visit.
Important: Lifestyle changes can affect symptoms, blood pressure, blood sugar, and medication needs. Work with your healthcare team as your health changes.
SMART Goals for Adults
A worksheet for turning a broad health goal into a specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound action.
Best for: People who have a health goal but need help deciding exactly where and how to begin.
Use with your clinician: Bring questions like, “Can you help me make this goal realistic, measurable, and appropriate for my health?” to your next visit.
Important: Start with a goal small enough to complete consistently, then adjust it as you learn what works.