Dr LeCrone
03-30-2006, 12:45 PM
People who suffer with chronic pain may become depressed and suffer from sleep disturbances, are frequently irritable, may have a change in appetite, become socially withdrawn and are, in general, less functional in ordinary tasks of life.
Working in cooperation with their family physician, certain psychological techniques are often used to help the patient cope with pain. These techniques are:
A suggestion – Suggestion has been used as a treatment since the beginning of medicine itself and is certainly nothing new. Suggestions may include hypnosis, even self-hypnosis, direct verbal suggestions or other programmed suggestions designed to treat the specific problem of the pain patient. Newer techniques have been developed specifically for chronic pain syndrome.
Distraction techniques – Many of us are familiar with the techniques many dentists use in distracting their patients from the pain of dental treatment. Other distraction techniques such as the use of imagery and intellectual tasks are also helpful. Visual imagery has been successfully used to reduce stress and to cope with pain. A so-called mental trip, the patient is taught to visualize himself in a desired state. Doctors have used this technique to work with cancer victims. They are asked to vividly imagine a scene inside the cancerous cells in a symbolic manner. For instance, the healthy cells might be portrayed as knights on white horses and the malignant cells as the dragons being slain.
Self-control – Biofeedback, autogenic training and voluntary reduction of medications are a few of the techniques in this category. Biofeedback has been found to be particularly effective in treating headaches and other problems such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems. Biofeedback is often combined with visual imagery. Reduction of medication is often helpful as the patient who is on strong pain medication feels drowsy or groggy. His disposition becomes edgy, and he becomes nervous and depressed. Pain is always foremost in the mind.
Anxiety reduction techniques – Relaxation exercises and desensitization are at times helpful in pain modification. The art of relaxation is one of those things in life that is easier said than done. True relaxation involves a somewhat altered state of consciousness where concentration is focused on deeply relaxing the whole body in a physiological way. Exercises can be shown the patient and through practice will produce desired results. The key is regular practice along with the desire to alter or break the pain cycle.
Stimulus control techniques – A reduction in those factors in the environment that elicit or encourage pain, such as the attention of nurses, parents or spouse. Many families are unaware of how their interaction with the chronic pain patient reinforces pain behavior and is a strong factor in the persistence of the pain.
Stress management techniques employing cognitive strategies – Help the patient understand the role of stress as a causative factor in pain. They help the patient learn to manage stress more effectively.
Group psychotherapy techniques – Help individuals learn from others in chronic pain, techniques of more effectively coping with chronic pain.
Longitudinal studies in research literature have definitely demonstrated the effectiveness of pain management techniques. For more information on availability or pain management programs or practitioners specializing in these techniques in your area, you should consult your local physician.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1988
Working in cooperation with their family physician, certain psychological techniques are often used to help the patient cope with pain. These techniques are:
A suggestion – Suggestion has been used as a treatment since the beginning of medicine itself and is certainly nothing new. Suggestions may include hypnosis, even self-hypnosis, direct verbal suggestions or other programmed suggestions designed to treat the specific problem of the pain patient. Newer techniques have been developed specifically for chronic pain syndrome.
Distraction techniques – Many of us are familiar with the techniques many dentists use in distracting their patients from the pain of dental treatment. Other distraction techniques such as the use of imagery and intellectual tasks are also helpful. Visual imagery has been successfully used to reduce stress and to cope with pain. A so-called mental trip, the patient is taught to visualize himself in a desired state. Doctors have used this technique to work with cancer victims. They are asked to vividly imagine a scene inside the cancerous cells in a symbolic manner. For instance, the healthy cells might be portrayed as knights on white horses and the malignant cells as the dragons being slain.
Self-control – Biofeedback, autogenic training and voluntary reduction of medications are a few of the techniques in this category. Biofeedback has been found to be particularly effective in treating headaches and other problems such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems. Biofeedback is often combined with visual imagery. Reduction of medication is often helpful as the patient who is on strong pain medication feels drowsy or groggy. His disposition becomes edgy, and he becomes nervous and depressed. Pain is always foremost in the mind.
Anxiety reduction techniques – Relaxation exercises and desensitization are at times helpful in pain modification. The art of relaxation is one of those things in life that is easier said than done. True relaxation involves a somewhat altered state of consciousness where concentration is focused on deeply relaxing the whole body in a physiological way. Exercises can be shown the patient and through practice will produce desired results. The key is regular practice along with the desire to alter or break the pain cycle.
Stimulus control techniques – A reduction in those factors in the environment that elicit or encourage pain, such as the attention of nurses, parents or spouse. Many families are unaware of how their interaction with the chronic pain patient reinforces pain behavior and is a strong factor in the persistence of the pain.
Stress management techniques employing cognitive strategies – Help the patient understand the role of stress as a causative factor in pain. They help the patient learn to manage stress more effectively.
Group psychotherapy techniques – Help individuals learn from others in chronic pain, techniques of more effectively coping with chronic pain.
Longitudinal studies in research literature have definitely demonstrated the effectiveness of pain management techniques. For more information on availability or pain management programs or practitioners specializing in these techniques in your area, you should consult your local physician.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1988