People suffering from chronic pain usually experience isolation. Even if they are supported by family members and friends, they do not feel free to burden them with talking about the agony they are experiencing. Pain support groups online can offer a solution.

Finding a group of people who are suffering in the same way can make a great difference. Emotions and feelings are understood by fellow sufferers and great relief may be experienced in expressing them. Living with constant agony affects the mind as much as it affects the body. The anxiety and depression that often comes with it can be alleviated, simply by sharing with others.

One of the advantages of joining is that it is possible to belong even if you are not mobile. You can participate even if there are any other barriers such as being bedridden or not having any transport. Your age, gender and color do not matter either.

The constant availability of someone to talk to or to help is very important to a sufferer. Many people experience their worst pain in the night hours. Finding someone available to talk them through it can make a real difference and they can then reciprocate when someone else needs them.

Participating in such a group is not meant to replace real life relationships. However, it is a way of bringing together people from all over the world who are suffering similarly. This offers a vast and rich source of experience from which to draw. Someone on the other side of the world may even have advice to offer on a practical every day issue affecting someone.

Sufferers may find it difficult to talk about embarrassing issues face-to-face. There is a certain anonymity to an online encounter that somehow seems to encourage people to open up about such issues. This freedom to communicate what cannot be shared in any other situation can be liberating.

Many sufferers do not want to join because they say they do not want to be subjected to other complaints and negativity. They have enough to deal with on their own. Very often these people are surprised to find that although negative emotions are expressed, much bravery, positivity and encouragement is also expressed. Humor is often evident too in these sufferers coping with very difficult circumstances.

Online relationships do not replace other ones. However, they provide a valuable means of obtaining the support and encouragement needed. It also offers a way to improve self worth too, as this is a way for a sufferer to help others, despite their situation. Reaching out to others and helping them to push through can be very important to someone.

When you experience chronic pain, no one understands how you feel like other people who share your condition. They can offer you hope when you need it and you can offer them support and encouragement in return. Practical information and advice can be received too which can add to your quality of life.