Part Three: Myths and Misconceptions

Myth

Kids’ pain experiences don’t matter…they forget them anyway.

Fact

• Wrong! Our early pain experiences have long term impact. They change the way we experience pain and how we feel about healthcare into adulthood.

Myth

• Pain is the same for everyone. 

Fact

• Pain is DIFFERENT for everyone. It’s even different for the same person, depending. It depends on MANY things, including past pain experiences, genetics, stress, mood, culture, etc.

Myth

• There is nothing we can do to prevent the freakout around needles for kids or adults. 

Fact

• Nope. There are simple, effective, research  proven strategies that make needle pokes and other procedures a lot easier and more comfortable. 

Myth

• People who are scared of needles just need to suck it up…it’s no big deal.

Fact

• It is a really big deal: it’s a fear that likely developed in childhood, is VERY common, and can have a major impact. People need skills and support…not shame.

Myth

• All doctors and medical providers know everything there is to know about all pain management techniques.

Fact

• It turns out not, even the best ones! Chances are they only received 7-10 hours of instruction on pain in med school. You might need to give them some information (we can help!).

Myth

If something hurts more than a doctor “thinks” it should, then it means you are crazy.

Fact

• Wrong. Everyone’s body is different, and what might be not a big deal to one person can be incredibly painful to someone else. It’s not crazy…it’s how people work.

Myth

• Everyone gets the same kind of treatment for their pain. 

Fact

The truth: Black people and those from other communities of color are much more likely to be undertreated, even kids. Women are also more likely to not get the care they need.

Myth

Doing best practice pain management slows down the work of medical providers, so it’s really hard to fit into their workflows.

Fact

Another persistent but untrue myth! Turns out good pain management practice improves workflow, reduces wait times, and improves both patient and provider satisfaction.

Myth

If psychological techniques like mindfulness and stress management work for my pain, it means my pain isn’t real.

Fact

Nooooooo! It means you’re doing a great job taking care of yourself and that you understand pain is a biological, psychological and social experience. By changing our psychological state, we change our very real pain experience.

Myth

Black people experience less pain.

Fact

This is a racist idea left over from days of slavery, and is total BS, but this myth still persists and creates a lot of unnecessary suffering even today.

Myth

If I say anything about what works for me or my child for pain management, they will be mad and insulted and might not want to care for me.

Fact

You and your medical team have the same goal… to create a good healthcare experience for you & your kiddo. Collaboration makes that happen. You combine their medical expertise and your expertise in you and your child.

Myth

It’s O.K. to hold my kid now for needle pokes.

Fact

Nope, nope, and Nope. Research is clear that holding down kids (particularly on their backs) is a recipe for medical trauma. There are great comfort positioning techniques that allow for kids to both safe and comforted.

Myth

Needle anxiety is rare. I’m the only one who has it.

Fact

Unless you’re a hermit who lives in the woods, this is impossible. 25% of adults, 50% of teens, and 63% of kids are freaked out by needles… we just don’t talk about it enough (yet!).