Physical Therapists’ Perceptions of Learning and Implementing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to Treat Chronic Pain: A Pilot Study on the Integrative Pain Science Institute Experience

Chronic pain presents a physical and psychological burden for millions of Americans, and is a global health pandemic. This burden has been worsened by the widespread emphasis placed on a biomedical approach that largely neglects to address the psychosocial components and processes of chronic pain. This omission has led to poorly managed pain, the chronification […]
Self-Compassion and Chronic Pain

Chronic pain can take a huge toll on mental health. Anger, frustration, self-blame, and animosity towards oneself and others often surface in people experiencing persistent pain, making it difficult to manage. Practicing self-compassion (“taking a kind, accepting, and non-judgmental stance towards oneself in times of failure or difficulty”) can make living with pain and responding […]
Chronic Pain [what went wrong]

An Overdose of Opioids The United States of America consumes 80% of the world’s supply of opioids and is in the midst of a chronic pain epidemic. Opioids may have a place for certain types of pain and can assist in the beginning phases of recovery. The model to follow regarding the prescribing of opioids should be “the […]
Can Mindfulness Heal Chronic Pain?

Does positive thinking really work for those in pain? Positive thinking and mindfulness or the opposite, pain catastrophizing, is rampant across the internet and self-help books. But you may not have heard about the ways healthcare providers are harnessing the mind-body connection to provide real results for real patients with chronic pain. Mind-body techniques are […]
How and Why to Exercise with Chronic Pain

Every type of sensation or feeling a person experiences such as heat, cold, touch, and even pain is controlled by the nervous system in the human body. The nervous system is a network of nerves that connects the brain to the rest of the body to allow for the input of information. For example, if […]
What is a Pain Neurotag?

Everyone has neurotags, and if you experience chronic pain, a neurotag may play a particular role in your symptoms. Learning about how the brain interprets and adapts to input can help you take steps to manage your pain. What Is A Neurotag? There are billions of neurons in a single brain, and each one can form […]