Pain Psychology

Behavioral and cognitive therapies with our clinical psychologists include bio-feedback, hypnosis, and relaxation therapy. This is an integral part of pain management because chronic pain is a disabling disease and affects the person as a whole. These services are very important and very effective in improving the quality of life for patients.

Active patient participation in all aspects of treatment is the key to success. We believe that your pain is real, not “all in your head,” or exaggerated. You are the expert on your pain and our goal is to provide the services, support, and tools to put you back in charge of managing your pain and life.

Behavioral medicine treatment typically consists of a combination of education, training, coaching, and counseling: This might include:

• Education on basic principles of chronic pain and its treatment. This includes developing a program of healthy behaviors, including exercise and nutrition, that can help break the vicious cycle in which pain continues long after the original injury has healed.
• Training in techniques to reduce or better control pain levels and negative emotions. These include biofeedback, deep muscle relaxation, stress management, visualization, self-hypnosis, distraction, and relaxed breathing. Selecting the right mix of techniques and modifying them to each patient’s needs and goals largely determines whether they are a successful part of a pain management strategy.
• Coaching and education to help you increase the success of treatment by becoming a more active and effective participant and leader. This includes becoming your own expert in tracking symptoms and treatment response, setting goals and priorities, communicating effectively with providers, and becoming your best advocate in negotiating the complicated array of agencies, clinics and bureaucracies involved in your care.

Counseling can help relieve depression, anxiety, fear and anger. Identifying and changing the negative thoughts that often accompany chronic pain, such as helplessness and hopelessness (and worthlessness) can improve your ability to effectively participate in your treatment. When mood improves, patients often experience an increase in pain tolerance and even a reduction in the intensity of pain and its interference in meaningful and enjoyable activities.

Counseling also often helps families and couples deal with the stress and conflict that pain can put on relationships. In addition, involving family members in treatment can, improve understanding, communication, and cooperation, and better use the talents and strengths with which the family has used to meet other challenges in the past.