CHRONIC PHYSICAL PAIN AND ILLNESS

Chronic pain is a major health problem in our society that can severely interfere in a person's ability to lead a satisfying and productive life. There are numerous types of chronic pain conditions, including low back pain, soft tissure injury, repetitive motion injuries, headaches (e.g. muscle contraction, migraine, and post-traumatic), fibromyalgia, lupus, TMD (temporomandibular joint disorders), RSD (reflex sympathetic dystrophy or causalgia), among many others.

As a consequence of pain and physical disability, a person often experiences a wide variety of difficulties, ranging from decreases in efficiency in daily activities and work to a catastrophic impact in all aspects of functioning. Inability to work, financial hardship, changes in relationships, and loss of avocational activities are some of the difficulties experienced by those who experience chronic pain. Emotionally, some of the changes experienced include loss of pleasure in life, depression, anxiety, fear, social withdrawal, and feelings of helplessness as a person faces the implications of their disabilities.

Pain medication is often useful during the acute phase of chronic pain conditions, but becomes less effective as time progresses. Surgical interventions are useful for some conditions but not for others. Therefore, frequently, medications and surgery do not provide long-term viable answers for the person with chronic pain. The treatment question that then arises is how to treat the ongoing pain in an effective manner. Without effective treatment, the person with chronic pain may find that the quality of life continues to decrease and pain exerts more control over all facets of their daily functioning. Pain management strategies become important as the person must learn to function effectively despite the fact that the pain continues. The good news is that effective treatment is available.

Our staff has worked successfully with patients with chronic pain and other chronic physical disorders for over twenty years.

Assessment

Chronic pain problems are complex and have multiple causes. It is therefore important that each individual has a thorough physical evaluation by appropriate health care providers. We usually work in collaboration with other health care providers in evaluating and providing treatment.

We conduct comprehensive evaluations that include interviews with the patient and family, review of medical records, and questionnaires. In addition, we provide psychophysiological evaluations utilizing biofeedback to aid in developing a more accurate diagnosis. These evaluations allow us to obtain a number of physical measurements that help us understand how a person reacts to stress.

The treatment that we provide usually does not cure chronic pain problems; however, people experience substantial improvement in their ability to function in every day life and the suffering they experience due to pain substantially decreases.

Treatment plans are developed that instruct and guide an individual in pain management skills. Interventions may include hypnosis, behavioral pain management, biofeedback, relaxation procedures, pain distraction skills, and methods of increasing activity level. Psychotherapy is provided for relationship problems, work issues, and other problems related to pain. In addition, a person may want to return to work or to increase recreational activities. Therefore, we tailor treatment to the individual's goals. A major emphasis is increasing a person's ability to enjoy life again.