AgrAbility Strives to Help Farmers Take Charge of Their Health With Webinar Series

By Jenna Braasch

Experiencing symptoms from chronic pain is a daily occurrence for many. Symptoms such as fatigue, sleeplessness, stress, and fear are often side effects of chronic pain and can be difficult to manage each day. For farmers and farm families, these symptoms can slow progress on and off the farm, making everyday tasks an extra chore or sometimes impossible.

Illinois AgrAbility emphasizes the importance of learning techniques and providing opportunities to help individuals in the agriculture industry. The Take Charge of Your Health: Chronic Pain Self-Management webinar series is a six-week series weighing heavily on cognitive behavioral techniques for managing pain. The series begins on March 18 and runs consecutive Mondays from 1 to 3:30 p.m. through April 22.

The chronic pain management webinar series is grant-funded and a partnership between University of Illinois Extension, Illinois AgrAbility, Age Options, and specialists from Illinois Extension family life and health teams.

Expanded versions of weekly topics can include:

• Balancing activity with rest.
• Learning tools for overcoming worst-case thinking.
• Working effectively with health care professionals.
• Creating action plans for problem-solving and decision-making.

“Many experience their chronic pain in silence, so this webinar series is an opportunity for those looking for some relief options to try within their current lifestyles,” says Haley Jones, AgrAbility program coordinator. “Sign up, find resources, and start on a journey to take charge of your health and get back to the responsibilities on the farm.”

The virtual series is free, but registration is required at go.illinois.edu/AgrPainSeries by March 11. Participants will receive a hard copy of “Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Pain” as an additional resource. For series questions, contact Haley Jones, AgrAbility program coordinator, at haleyj@illinois.edu, 217-244-2948.