Pain Psychology and Pain Management is a subject that many patients don’t have knowledge about. Even though there have been decades of scientific support showing the tried, tested, and proven benefits of pain psychology. Although it doesn’t seem logical to most chronic pain suffers, seeing a pain psychologist may not be so illogical after all.

What is Pain Psychology

There is a base of five ways that pain psychologist can aid acute and chronic pain suffers. The first way pain psychologists can help is to show patients how to replace coping behaviors for acute pain by replacing the behaviors with those used for coping with chronic pain. Next, the pain psychologist teaches pain sufferers to take a leadership role in their own pain management. The patient will need to make lifestyle changes, communicate with doctors, provide feedback to doctors and become knowledgeable about their condition and the big picture of their overall health. The third strategy that pain psychologist utilize is assisting patients to de-catastrophize thinking about their pain. The case should be solely based on the facts of the patient’s metical status. This takes away fear, anxiety, and worst-case scenario type thinking. Next the doctor helps the patient put life quality ahead of pain, prioritizing goals and values. The fifth change that pain psychologists help patients do is to help their patients to reduce stress, anxiety, and any other mental health issues that makes the patient’s acute and chronic pain escalate.

Pain Psychology and Pain Management

Do these five ways that pain psychologists aid with acute and chronic pain work? The science over several decades says that this formula for acute and chronic pain does help patients. This does not mean that primary doctors and pain management specialist should not be part of the patient’s pain management team. Chronic pain can change and get much worse over time. Certainly, there is a time and place where medical procedures may be needed for pain relief.

The Body and the Mind are Connected

There is strong evidence that shows how powerful our thoughts and minds can be when it comes to health and quality of life. A positive attitude that focuses on living and quality of life seems much more appealing then a life focused on pain. Pain psychology and pain management for acute and chronic pain make perfect sense; the mind is an important part of the body that contributes to overall health and wellbeing.