CBT FOr Chronic Pain
What is chronic pain?
Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists beyond the time one would expect normal healing to occur. Chronic pain is often the result of persistent tissue injury and ongoing activation of pain receptors that may lead to pharmacological, physiological, and anatomical changes in the central nervous system, where pain information is processed
Why is the management of chronic pain difficult?
Chronic pain is not only physically taxing for those who experience enduring pain, but also socially and emotionally difficult. Oftentimes, people with chronic pain have had to see multiple providers in search for diagnostic answers and treatment remedies. More so, people have shared countless experiences where their pain has been minimized and they are left feeling invalidated and discredited. In their personal life, people with chronic pain often end up feeling isolated, discouraged, and exhausted when they receive criticism and cynicism about the debilitating nature of their experience.
The management and treatment of chronic pain has proven to be difficult because medical models have only recently evolved from a dualistic (mind or body as the cause for pain) understanding of pain to a more holistic one that involves a mind-body connection of the pain experience. This means that the sensory experience of pain also encompasses one’s subjective emotional experience, thoughts, actions, and interpretations of actions, which ultimately sheds light into the psychological aspects of chronic pain that may worsen one’s experience having pain.
Gorog Health’s approach to chronic pain management
My first priority when I meet someone with chronic pain is to validate that their physical pain is real & they are not ‘crazy’. It is unfortunate that many people with chronic pain have been given the message that their pain is not real, or it is all in their head. Instead, upon my first meeting I want my patients to leave feeling understood and hopeful that a psychophysiological treatment approach is an evidence-based ancillary treatment approach that is recognized to provide real benefit and relief.
I provide each patient with an explanation of CBT, detailing the relationship between our thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and behaviors and provide examples for how pain is intertwined in these relationships impacting your overall experience with chronic pain. I explain stress of any kind can exacerbate chronic pain, and plan out appropriate interventions aimed at not only reducing your overall pain, but helping you get your life back, despite pain.
I also use biofeedback. Biofeedback for chronic pain is considered a gold standard treatment approach for relaxation in the service of treating many chronic pain presentations. I use the Nexus 10 MK-II and the Biotrace software to provide real time clinical feedback for your breathing rate, heart rate, muscle tension, skin temperature, and more. This information is important to use alongside CBT for chronic pain because it gives us real time physiological data. With this data I teach you skills to reduce your pain and ultimately change your relationship to the experience of pain.
Ultimately, my goal is to get on the same page with you as you and collaboratively determine your goals as they relate not only pain, but also your goals related to your wellbeing, despite pain. It is not uncommon for people with chronic pain to also experience symptoms of anxiety and depression. It is my goal to determine a path that helps each patient holistically accomplish their goals.
CBT for Pain management in denver, Co
It is my goal to bring a holistic lens to CBT. So I care not only care about someone’s health habits, which might contribute to the problem, but also other aspects of psychological stress that might arise from spiritual, religious or other relationship issues. If you are searching for a complete and holistic approach to chronic pain management, contact Gorog Health today.
