What jobs can I do with chronic pain?

[mfelt]

I have recently had to stop working full time as I was in too much pain sat at a desk in one position for 8 hours a day. I need a job where I’m not in one position for too long does anyone have any suggestions? Just worried about having enough money leading up to Christmas

[rabbits65]

Are you working in an office ? Can you ask them if they have a position to suit you. Write a list of things you can do or want to do. You won’t want shop work as you will be on your feet all day. It’s not easy for us to discuss or talk on here as we don’t really know what you can do or what you would like to do. How about going on a course to learn something new. I hope you sort yourself out.

[Bevvy]

Many offices these days have facility to have a number of desks that rise up and down. This means that you can alternate between sitting and standing. Where I used to work had this option and several people were allocated this desk.

Also worth talking with Access to Work to discover what support they can give you within the work place. For example specialist equipment, advice and so on.

[LisaKB]

Hi, as stated here your employer can make a referral to access to work. The sit stand desks are good (I have one at home, along with a standing mat to reduce pressure on lower limbs). You can also purchase equipment to put on top of an existing desk that raises just the laptop/PC to create the same effect without changing the desk (much cheaper). I would also strongly advise to purchase a yoga mat and research stretches for your spine and back muscles, including the glutes, and at least progress to strengthen spinal muscles. Yoga is a very good option and if you can progress onto Pilates even better. This should help and also help prevent future injury. Good luck!

[mauschen]

I am at the end of my career and suffer the pain of left convex scoliosis and additional pain from the pressures added to adjacent structures. Therefore, I feel your pain.As a juvenile diagnosed with scoliosis, the doctor should have discussed treatment options with your parents. Have you had corrective surgery or indeed the measurements of the curvature?

My suggestion would be to ask for a referral to a spinal neurosurgeon . Not that I am advocating surgery, just to know as an adult what your treatment options are now and how to manage your future.

Do you wear a back brace? If not, this might be something helpful for you however, research states that those wearing one all day, can weaken the abdominal muscles.

Speak with the doctor, ask for a chronic illness care plan.

Join disability UK and get up to speed with how your employer can help you by for example making reasonable adjustments. Then speak to your boss or the occupational health department if you have one and work out a plan to help you do your job. This may involve reducing your hours? However, perhaps your boss might find something for you to do which does not include sitting all the time.

Get a good physiotherapist, in my opinion, these are the experts with the knowledge to keep you mobile as long as possible.

My physio has given me stretches and exercises to do. I do them faithfully because without them I can quickly lose my mobility. Some companies, like BMW for example, offer physio on their premises for workers.

In the job centre, there are trained staff to help you work out what kind of jobs will suit your skill set, give it a try, it’s free information .

I hate to say this but we are stuck with this condition for life. It won’t get any better, so we have to take the reigns and manage it ourselves to prevent it getting worse.. You are young with an exciting life in front of you. Have a wee think about things and let me know what you decide.

[Hellytheelephant]

Hi- I saw this and thought of your post: astriid.org/about/ Apparently they are a charity who help chronically ill folk to find work- it might be worth contacting them. Miranda Hart raises funds for them with her online shop.