spouse solicitousness regarding pain

[Whistler]

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ar ... 9987900821

So... the best thing for a spouse of someone with chronic pain is to ignore their complaints?

[Rainbow_connection]

Interesting! My husband has a chronic condition that causes him quite a lot of pain at times (damaged tendons in his feet), and I would agree with the study that if either of us treats it like a huge deal it just makes it harder to deal with. When he complains I don't ignore him but I do usually just offer to get him an ibuprofen or glass of water or something. I think treating things matter-of-factly gives them less power.