Moving When You Have Chronic Pain

Packing & Moving Tips to Make Your NYC Move Easier

The CDC reports that 20.4% of American adults live with chronic pain. People who have chronic pain move for the same reasons anyone else does – because they’ve gotten a new job, are going to school, are relocating for other opportunities, or to be with loved ones. However, chronic pain can make the already big job of packing and moving household possessions even more difficult. Here are some tips to make the move easier:

Find a Physician & Pharmacist in Your New Town Before Your Move

It can be exceptionally difficult to find a physician who addresses chronic pain issues professionally and compassionately. Work with your current physician to find a care provider in your new town: a personal referral from a physician can help ease your way into a new practice and help maintain continuity of care. The same is true for pharmacies: any groundwork you can do to establish a relationship before you arrive can be very helpful.

Refill Every Prescription You Can Before You Move

Every chronic pain patient has their own nightmare story of insurance authorizations, prescription denials, and other obstacles that prevent them from getting pain-controlling and other necessary medications. Work with your health care provider and pharmacist to ensure you have an adequate supply of medications to last you through the move and settle-in period.

Talk To Your Insurance Company Early and Often

As soon as you know you’re moving and what your new address will be, talk to your insurance company to ensure your records are updated correctly and that your coverage will continue without interruption. Document everything to ensure you have a record of who you talked to, what they said, and what changes to your policy you need to have made. IMPORTANT: SSDI and other disability benefits vary from state to state. If you rely upon disability for your income, you want to make sure your benefits will not be adversely impacted by your move. Don’t assume everything will just ‘transfer over’ – in many cases, paperwork will need to be done to ensure your finances aren’t destroyed by the move.

Choose Smaller Moving Boxes

Whether you’re working with professional movers, are having your friends help you move, or are handling the move on your own, life will be easier if you choose smaller moving boxes. While it does mean you’ll have more boxes to move, each box will be lighter – an important consideration, especially if joint mobility or strength are issues for you.

Take Your Time and Take Breaks

Only you know how much you can handle before you need a break. If you don’t have a time constraint, go at your own pace and try not to feel rushed. If you feel yourself getting tired or are in too much pain, don’t overwork yourself. Take a break until you feel well enough to continue. If you know you’ll be working at a slower pace, it can be a good idea to start packing early.

Ask for Help or Hire New York Movers Shleppers

Don’t be afraid to ask friends and family for help. To make moving day even easier, you can hire a local moving company like Shleppers. We offer a range of services and can even help you pack and unpack. With us, you can rest easy knowing your belongings are in good hands. To learn more about how we can help you move, call us at 800-847-4537 or fill out a free no-obligation quote here.