The rules that rule us

Louise Hall from Pain Association Scotland reflects on the event she delivered as part of Self Management Week 2025.

Self Management Week comes around every year and 2025 was the year the ALLIANCE asked Pain Association Scotland to run a short learning session for their members and other interested folk to join online. A great opportunity to look, listen and learn, and meet others in a similar field from the comfort of your own sofa or desk. There was a large range of events over the week, but work commitments overtook me; a shame, but I intend to sign in for next year.

What did it do for me? Put simply, it was a great chance to share knowledge and ideas with others.

The topic I chose was ‘Dealing with the Challenges of Old Rules and Habits’. The aim was to highlight how we try to live up to the standards and habits in our old rulebook and the problems it can cause when it clashes with new limitations. What we see as rule-breaking stirs up unwelcome emotions. Especially guilt and anxiety, these compound suffering. All of this is hard; physically, socially and psychologically. Old habits die hard, especially the habits of maintaining standards, of finishing what you start and not asking for help. There is often a tension between old rules and the new reality of a health change.

The topic was just one of a range we cover in our yearly programme which we deliver in small, friendly and interactive groups monthly in many areas across Scotland. These are alternatively in person and online. We also run programmes in prisons, for veterans and in universities. Our online resources might be of interest to you. Finally, we are developing a major resource for people at work.

What else did it do for me?

It was a chance to speak with others in a similar field of pain self management.

I was surprised that few who came had pain. Sadly, some attendees who were interested in what we did, lived outwith the areas we are funded to deliver our service in. 

As a welcome positive development, we are pleased to announce that we are now doing 5-week online intensive courses in Highland. For further information on all our services contact info@painassociation.com

A change in health means that we enter into a new unfamiliar world where self management organisations like the ALLIANCE and Pain Association Scotland are unknown. In fact, people don’t even know to look for us. We need health professionals to promote self management positively and not say, as we often hear, “we can’t do anything more for you, so try Pain Association”.

It meant a great deal for me to be part of a campaign to promote self management and there is much to be shared. As I see it, it is not about the medical model letting you go it alone, but rather, it’s about giving you more options and a cause for renewed hope as someone finds a way forward at a time when they might have thought all was lost. When did a doctor give you a prescription for a crafting activity or a playlist to help you sleep? Most importantly, did you ever wonder what makes you push through the pain, overdo things and put others’ needs first? It’s the habits, old rules and beliefs we have grown up with. These are known as introjected beliefs and are a fundamental aspect of our development. They continue to influence us and affect how we interact with the world. Self management here is about giving yourself permission to rewrite your rulebook and create the new habits that will enable you to cope better moving forward.

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