Living with chronic pain can be incredibly challenging, especially when it comes to finding and maintaining a job. Finding employment can be especially difficult for those with chronic pain, as the condition can make it difficult to keep up with the physical demands of many jobs. It’s important that individuals living with chronic pain know that there are still options out there when it comes to employment, and many employers are more than willing to accommodate their needs. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best jobs for people with chronic pain and how to make the most of your job search. We’ll also provide tips for ensuring that your job search is successful and for staying positive during the process. By the end of this post, you’ll have a better idea of the job opportunities available to those living with chronic pain and the steps you need to take to find the right job for your situation.
Things to look for in a job if you have chronic pain
Here are five qualities that a company or job role should have for people with chronic pain:
What is chronic pain, and how can it affect your job search?
Chronic pain is persistent pain that lasts weeks or years. Numerous injuries or illnesses can make it necessary for someone to manage chronic pain while working or looking for work.
It may be challenging for those who experience or manage ongoing pain and discomfort to sit or stand for extended periods of time. Additionally, they might find uncomfortable doing heavy lifting or prolonged manual work. It’s crucial to consider various options or accommodations available when looking for a job or career while also managing frequent bouts of discomfort because these are occasionally job requirements. Eight medical conditions are listed below that could result in ongoing pain:
15 jobs for people with chronic pain
15 careers to think about if you manage chronic pain are listed below:
A photographer’s main responsibilities include using lighting, foreground, background, and other techniques to take pictures that tell stories or elicit certain emotional responses. Photographers occasionally specialize in taking photographs for publications, documenting events, or taking portraits. A person’s employer may require them to travel to various locations for work, so Photographers have a wide range of employment options, and the work is typically fairly flexible and doesn’t involve strenuous physical labor or heavy lifting.
A virtual assistant’s main responsibilities include providing administrative support to managers, executives, or other members of the C-suite from a remote or home office. Maintaining calendars, setting up appointments, relaying information, and screening calls and emails are among their job responsibilities.
A medical coder’s main responsibilities include reviewing medical records and patient treatment data before converting it to a medical code for record-keeping, insurance coverage, and reimbursement. Clinical coding officers are another name for medical coders, who frequently carry out their duties while seated at a desk or working from home. The job does not call for hard labor, long hours, or heavy lifting.
The main responsibilities of a spa manager are to oversee and coordinate all aspects of a spa’s business operations. Their main responsibilities include assigning tasks to others, controlling staff schedules, monitoring budgetary reports, and ensuring that health regulations are followed. In the health and wellness sector, store managers frequently have access to discounted spa services and non-pharmaceutical pain relief options.
A wedding planner’s main responsibilities include coordinating with suppliers, clients, and entertainers to help design weddings in accordance with client needs and budgets. They prepare materials for clients, conduct research in various fields, and engage in creative work. Wedding coordinators work in an office setting and assign tasks to others. They occasionally must travel to different locations to make sure that the venue owners, entertainers, and vendors are adhering to their carefully planned wedding, but this work is typically not physically demanding and there is frequently some scheduling flexibility.
Primary responsibilities: A social media specialist is someone who works in an organization’s marketing or communications department. They might supervise groups of people or work together with others to produce images, content, and copy for social media campaigns. They must conduct research, develop projects, and use a variety of social media platforms. The majority of social media specialists work from home or in offices, and there is no physical labor or heavy lifting involved. There might also be some flexibility with hours or contract work available for this position, depending on your employer.
Copywriters are professional writers who produce text or articles for businesses as their main responsibility. They may create content that is educational, entertaining, or intended to evoke a certain emotion. They frequently submit their work to the advertising or marketing division of a business or client organization, which uses it to promote a product or raise brand awareness. Copywriters frequently sit at desks and perform no physical labor in their work.
Business analysts’ main responsibilities are to support organizations by making improvements to their general operations, features, or revenue-generating systems. Business analysts can work for a company as employees, or they can operate independently or as a team to provide consulting services to a variety of businesses. There may be more schedule flexibility as a consulting business analyst, which is frequently advantageous for someone with chronic pain.
The main responsibilities of a remote mortgage underwriter are to represent a bank or other lending service. Their main responsibilities include looking over financial records, evaluating risks, and deciding whether to approve or deny loans. Remote mortgage underwriters read and scan documents on a computer, write reports, and perform their work from home.
A recruiter’s main responsibilities are to review and recommend potential hires on behalf of businesses or organizations. Interviewing candidates, reviewing resumes, speaking with client businesses, and matching client needs with those of talented professionals are among their duties. Recruiters communicate via social media, email, phone, and video, and they frequently work from home or in corporate offices.
Primary responsibilities: A user experience designer, or UX designer, is a creative and innovative professional. They design user-friendly interfaces for technological devices, software, and websites using their knowledge of consumer science, market trends, and technology. UX designers frequently put in regular office hours, though employers occasionally provide remote options for this position. Designers do not engage in heavy lifting or manual labor in the course of their work because they use computer programs, hold focus groups, and collaborate with team members.
A Java developer’s main responsibilities include designing, building, and managing Java-based computer and mobile device applications. A thorough understanding of web frameworks, web technologies, Java, and other computer programming languages is required for those in this position. Java developers typically work from home or in an office setting; heavy lifting or other strenuous manual labor are not among their main responsibilities.
A software engineer’s main responsibilities include developing and maintaining computer software. They build software products and programs using computer programming languages. Regular business hours are typical for a career in software engineering, and home offices or company offices are frequently used by employees.
A medical writer’s main responsibilities include reviewing reports, notes, data, and clinical outcomes related to medical research and clinical trials. They write reports about scientific findings and outcomes after summarizing and analyzing information. Medical writers typically submit their works to regulatory bodies and medical journals. Other times, the work they produce is utilized internally by medical or pharmaceutical facilities. Sometimes medical writers work in offices, but there are also plenty of opportunities for them to work from home.
Primary duties: A telemedicine physician is a licensed medical doctor. They work remotely to provide patients with healthcare and support. Writing reports, treating illnesses, and prescribing medication are among their job responsibilities. They communicate with patients using secure video communication software. A career in telemedicine as a doctor offers flexible hours and a high wage. It also does not require heavy lifting or manual labor.
Tips for working while managing chronic pain
Here are four suggestions for managing chronic pain while having a successful career:
Speak with your employer or manager
You might find it helpful to discuss your chronic pain with your employer, direct manager, or supervisor. Most people with leadership positions possess active listening skills. Positive and inclusive workplace cultures will understand and be sympathetic to your situation if you let someone know what’s going on. They might even be able to assist you in seeking out or locating reasonable accommodations to make it easier for you to succeed in your job.
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes
It’s important to wear relaxed clothes and shoes that won’t cause pain while working, whether you do it from home or in an office. It’s critical that your footwear and attire support good posture and easy movement. Ask your doctor if wearing certain shoes or clothes, such as those with rubber soles, inserts, compression socks, loose clothing, or braces, could help you manage your pain.
Take periodic breaks in your workday for stretching or mild exercise
Your circulation and mobility may be improved by taking regular breaks, stretching, or engaging in light exercise like gentle yoga, walking, or riding a stationary bike. Ask your doctor if adding stretching or exercise to your pain management regimen would be beneficial.
Follow medical guidance
It’s crucial to inform your doctor that you are employed or looking for work. They might ask what kind of work you do and what your responsibilities are. Keep your physical therapy or doctor’s appointments and adhere to their recommendations regarding work-related behavior and pain management while at work.
HOW TO WORK WHILE LIVING CHRONICALLY ILL | practical job ideas for those living with pain + fatigue
FAQ
What jobs can people with chronic pain do?
- Photographer.
- Virtual assistant.
- Medical coder.
- Spa manager.
- Wedding planner.
- Social media specialist.
- Copywriter.
- Business analyst.
How do people with chronic pain make a living?
- Learn deep breathing or meditation to help you relax.
- Reduce stress in your life. …
- Boost chronic pain relief with the natural endorphins from exercise.
- Cut back on alcohol, which can worsen sleep problems.
- Join a support group. …
- Don’t smoke.
How do you hold a job with a chronic illness?
- Be honest with yourself. You shouldn’t pretend that your illness doesn’t exist just because you’re at work; it is a reality that you need to deal with.
- Find a balance between work and health. …
- Disclose your diagnosis sensibly. …
- Prepare for sick days. …
- Know your rights. …
- Research local sick leave laws.
Can chronic pain stop you from working?
After your accident, chronic pain might prevent you from working for several weeks or months. Lost wages are the earnings you would have made if your injury hadn’t occurred.
