Treating persistent pain

Treating Persistent Pain in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Persistent pain, also called chronic pain, is pain that lasts longer than 3 months. In the Grand Rapids area and across Michigan, many adults live with ongoing back pain, arthritis, headaches, nerve pain, and pain after injuries or surgery. If you’re dealing with chronic pain in Grand Rapids, you are far from alone—and there are effective ways to manage it.

Local healthcare systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, University of Michigan Health-West (Metro Health), and Mercy Health offer a wide range of services to help you manage persistent pain and stay active through our cold winters and changing Michigan seasons.

Rethinking Treatment for Persistent Pain

Short-term fixes that only focus on temporarily reducing pain—like taking medication “as needed” without a broader plan—usually are not enough for persistent pain.

A more effective approach focuses on:

Gradually improving your function (what you can do day to day)
Managing pain so it doesn’t control your life
Preventing or reducing flare‑ups, rather than chasing complete pain relief

In Grand Rapids, pain specialists often use a multidisciplinary approach, combining medical treatment, movement, mental health support, and lifestyle changes tailored to you and our local environment (for example, dealing with slippery sidewalks in winter or reduced activity in colder months).

Managing Chronic Pain as a Team in Grand Rapids

You Are at the Center of Your Pain Management Team

Persistent pain is best managed when you work as part of a team. Your team may include:

Your primary care doctor (GP) at a local clinic or health system
Physiotherapists / physical therapists (for example, at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or independent clinics)
Occupational therapists
Exercise physiologists or medically supervised fitness programs
Psychologists or counselors experienced in chronic pain
Pharmacists at your local Grand Rapids pharmacy
Family and friends
Support groups (including local chronic pain or arthritis groups in West Michigan)

You are the central decision-maker. Taking an active role—asking questions, setting goals, and tracking what works—can significantly improve your outcomes.

Local support and education may also be available through the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health programs, which often provide resources on healthy living, physical activity, and mental health.

Step 1: Get Reliable Information About Persistent Pain

Quality Information Is a Powerful Tool

Understanding your condition helps you make better choices and feel more in control.

When searching online for “chronic pain treatment in Grand Rapids, MI” or “persistent back pain help Grand Rapids”:

Be cautious of websites that push one specific product, supplement, or brand as a “cure”
Be skeptical of celebrity endorsements or miracle claims
Look for evidence-based sources, such as:
- Major local health systems (Corewell Health, Trinity Health, U of M Health-West)
- Kent County Health Department and other public health agencies
- National organizations like the CDC, NIH, or American Chronic Pain Association

The most important question is: Does this treatment help me reach my personal goals?

Step 2: Set Clear, Realistic Goals

Goal setting helps you and your healthcare team see whether your treatment plan is working.

Example (local twist):

Problem: Pain makes it hard to walk your dog along the Grand River trail or around your neighborhood in Eastown, Alger Heights, or Wyoming.
Goal: In 6 months, be able to walk your dog for 30 minutes around your local park (e.g., Riverside Park, Millennium Park, or your neighborhood park) most days of the week.

With a clear goal, your doctor, physiotherapist, or exercise specialist can design a step-by-step plan and adjust it based on your progress and pain levels.

Step 3: Try Different Self-Management Strategies

There is no single “best” strategy for everyone. You may need to combine several approaches to manage your persistent pain.

Common Self-Management Techniques

Heat packs – can help relax tight or aching muscles, especially in colder Grand Rapids winters
Cold packs – can help reduce inflammation or swelling after activity
Gentle exercise – such as walking, swimming at a local YMCA, or using indoor walking tracks when sidewalks are icy
Stretching and mobility exercises – to keep joints flexible and reduce stiffness
Massage – professional or self-massage techniques
Relaxation techniques – deep breathing, mindfulness, or guided imagery
Good sleep habits – especially important during long Michigan winters when daylight is limited
Managing stress and mood – counseling, support groups, or online programs

Track What Helps and What Triggers Pain

Keep a simple pain diary:

When does your pain get worse? (e.g., shoveling snow, prolonged sitting at a desk in downtown Grand Rapids, long drives on I‑96)
What seems to help? (heat, stretching, short breaks, walking, medication, relaxation)

This information helps your care team fine‑tune your treatment plan.

Step 4: Pace Your Activity to Avoid Flare-Ups

Pacing: Doing Enough, But Not Too Much

Pacing means balancing activity and rest so you don’t overdo it on “good days” and then crash with a severe flare-up.

Practical pacing strategies:

Alternate activity and rest
Break big tasks into smaller steps
Do demanding tasks when you feel your best, but stop before your pain spikes
Delegate where possible: ask family or friends to help with heavy chores like snow shoveling or yard work
Use tools and aids (e.g., ergonomic tools, reachers, braces) recommended by an occupational therapist

A doctor, physiotherapist, or occupational therapist in Grand Rapids can teach you pacing techniques suited to your lifestyle and job demands—whether you work in manufacturing, healthcare, education, or office-based roles common in the metro area.

Step 5: Stay Active—But Adjust, Don’t Stop

When you’re in pain, it’s usually better to reduce your activity level temporarily rather than stopping entirely.

Example progression:

Week 1: Walk your dog around the block for 5–10 minutes
After a few weeks: Increase to 15 minutes, if your pain is manageable
After a month or two: Aim for 20 minutes
Around 6 months: Work toward your 30-minute goal, accepting that there may be ups and downs

Movement helps:

Maintain joint flexibility
Support heart health
Improve mood and sleep
Reduce stiffness that can worsen in cold, damp weather common in West Michigan

Before increasing activity, ask your Grand Rapids doctor or physiotherapist how to do it safely, especially if you have heart disease, diabetes, or other chronic conditions.

Step 6: Stay Connected and Involved

Chronic pain can be isolating, especially during long winters when people naturally stay indoors more. Staying connected is key:

Keep participating in home activities where possible
Stay involved in social and leisure activities, even in a modified way
Talk openly with family and friends about your goals and pacing plan so they can support you
Consider local support groups or online communities for people with chronic pain or arthritis

Staying at Work When Possible

If you’re employed in Grand Rapids or the surrounding metro area:

Aim to stay at work, even if you need restricted or modified duties
Work with your employer and healthcare team to create a return-to-work or stay-at-work plan
Prolonged time off work can negatively affect:
- Physical health
- Mental health and mood
- Confidence about returning to your job

Your doctor, physiotherapist, and occupational therapist can provide documentation and guidance on safe work adjustments.

Do not wait until you feel “100% better” to resume activities or work. Small, gradual steps keep you connected and can improve your quality of life sooner.

Your Grand Rapids Healthcare Team for Managing Persistent Pain

You may see some of these professionals regularly, and others only as needed. Having a consistent primary care doctor in Grand Rapids—rather than switching frequently—helps keep your care organized and coordinated.

Key Professionals

Primary Care Doctor (GP)

Central coordinator of your care
Reviews your medical history, orders tests if needed, and refers you to specialists
Helps you weigh benefits and risks of treatments, including medications, injections, or surgery

Physiotherapists / Physical Therapists

Design exercise and movement programs to improve strength, flexibility, and mobility
Teach you safe ways to move to protect painful joints or areas
Often available through Corewell Health, Trinity Health, U of M Health-West, Mercy Health, and private clinics across Grand Rapids

Exercise Physiologists

Provide clinical exercise programs tailored to your medical conditions
Help you safely improve fitness, endurance, and overall health

Occupational Therapists

Show you better ways to do daily activities (bathing, dressing, cooking, working, driving)
Recommend aids and equipment (grab bars, ergonomic tools, braces, seating supports) to make tasks easier and less painful

Psychologists or Counselors

Help you manage stress, anxiety, depression, and sleep problems related to chronic pain
Teach coping strategies, relaxation techniques, and help with goal setting and prioritizing activities

Pain Management Programs

If pain persists for more than 3 months despite treatment, ask your doctor about a pain management or pain rehabilitation program. These may be offered through major Grand Rapids health systems and can include:

Medical assessment
Physiotherapy and exercise
Psychological support
Occupational therapy
Education on pain science and self-management

These programs address:

Physical factors (injury, arthritis, nerve problems, deconditioning)
Psychological factors (mood, stress, sleep)
Social factors (home life, work, relationships, activity levels)

Medical Treatments for Persistent Pain

Medical treatments are usually most helpful when combined with self-management strategies, not used alone.

Medications

Pain medications can sometimes:

Help reduce pain enough to allow you to start moving more
Make it easier to participate in physiotherapy or exercise programs

Important points:

Discuss with your Grand Rapids doctor the benefits and risks of any pain medication
Follow your doctor’s instructions—do not change or stop medications suddenly without medical advice
Some medications need to be tapered slowly to avoid withdrawal side effects. This is not necessarily addiction; it can be a normal response of the body to medication changes.

Guidelines generally recommend that strong pain medications such as opioids (e.g., morphine, codeine, oxycodone, Endone) should not be used long-term (longer than about 3 months) for most non-cancer chronic pain, if possible.

Always ask:

How long should I take this?
What are the side effects and risks?
How will we know if it��s helping?

Injections

In some cases, your doctor or pain specialist may suggest:

Local anesthetic injections
Steroid injections
Strong anti-inflammatory injections into a painful joint or area

These can sometimes provide short- to medium-term relief, allowing you to:

Move more comfortably
Participate in rehab or exercise programs

For cancer-related persistent pain, injections of stronger pain medicines may be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Surgery

Surgery is rarely the first choice for managing persistent pain and is usually considered only when:

All appropriate non-surgical options have been tried
There is a clear medical reason that surgery is likely to help

Not all painful conditions improve with surgery. Before deciding:

Ask about the expected benefits
Understand the risks and possible complications
Consider the recovery time and cost
Ask if a second opinion from another Grand Rapids or regional specialist is appropriate

Local and Emergency Support in Grand Rapids

If you are struggling with pain and also feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, emotional support is just as important as physical treatment.

In addition to your local doctor and health system, you can:

Contact local mental health providers in the Grand Rapids area
Reach out to national crisis and support hotlines (for immediate emotional support)
Check with the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health for mental health and community resources

If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, seek immediate help by calling emergency services or a crisis hotline.

Key Takeaways for Managing Persistent Pain in Grand Rapids, MI

Persistent pain is common—you are not alone, and help is available through multiple Grand Rapids health systems and community resources.
You are the central player in your pain management team. Your choices, goals, and daily habits make a real difference.
Be cautious online—avoid sites that aggressively promote one product or “miracle cure.” Look for trusted, evidence-based information.
Set clear, realistic goals, like walking your dog for 30 minutes at a local park, and work with your healthcare team to reach them step by step.
Use a combination of strategies—pacing, gentle activity, heat/cold, stress management, and medical care—to regain control over your life.
Stay connected and stay involved in work, family, and community as much as you can, even if you need to modify activities.

If you live with persistent pain in Grand Rapids, talk with your local primary care doctor or pain specialist about creating a personalized pain management plan that fits your health, your work, and our Michigan lifestyle.