An Inside Look at What Doctors Learn About Pain in Medical School

Modern pain science has made great strides in uncovering the neurophysiologic mechanisms and cognitive processes that underlie nociception and pain. The field of pain science will continue to grow as government and private interests search for effective pain management strategies, and as consumers demand safe and effective treatment. But is the latest pain science being […]

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Skills for Modern Pain Practitioners

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a time-limited approach that has been shown to be effective across a number of chronic pain conditions. CBT involves a structured approach that focuses on the relationships among cognitions (thoughts), emotions, and behaviors. Treatments based on cognitive behavioral therapy have been successfully applied to chronic pain, either delivered alone, by […]

5 Ways to Open the Door to Willingness in Chronic Pain

Many clients with chronic pain spend enormous amounts of time, energy and money trying to control or eradicate pain. The unfortunate clinical reality (for some) is that total pain relief is not always possible. When this is the case, a shift in approach to pain care is often necessary. Modern pain care emphasizes the resumption […]

3 Key Skills of Psychologically Informed Pain Care

Psychosocial factors relevant to pain care. What psychosocial “yellow flags” relating to pain are commonly seen in your clinic, and how might they be addressed? Health care for people living with persistent pain has changed in recent years, and for good reason. With an estimated 100 million people suffering from chronic pain, it seems evident […]

5 Psychologically Informed Approaches to Pain Care

The biomedical model for approaching pain is being replaced with the biopsychosocial model. What role does psychology play in chronic pain prevention and treatment?  In 2011, the Institute of Medicine released a report stating that 100 million people in the United States are living with ongoing pain. (1) While the biomedical approach is often the […]

Food for Fibromyalgia: Research Offers New Hope for Fibro Sufferers

Can food cause physical pain? Should people with fibromyalgia follow a certain diet? Of the five million people affected by Fibromyalgia (FM) in the United States, 80% are women.  FM is a long-term condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and mood disorders. Fibromyalgia syndrome is often accompanied by other issues, such as migraine headaches, […]