When someone experiences chronic pain in their body, the last thing they want to hear is, “It’s all in your head.” However, the mind and body are interconnected and research shows that, when you treat your brain, you can treat your pain. A research article regarding pain management in matters of opioid addiction, published by the Journal of American Medical Association, shows that mind-body combined therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and guided imagery helps with the reduction of chronic pain and opioid cravings.
CBT is a type of talk therapy that helps people identity feelings and emotions in order to change those negative thoughts that lead to maladaptive behaviors. The theory behind CBT is that people create their own feelings and perceptions, one of which may be physical pain. By changing their negative thoughts, people can change their pain awareness and develop better skills to cope. Mindfulness is often used alongside CBT, which helps patients to be aware of the present moment in order to relieve stress and help accept difficult feelings.
Pain used to be solely treated with medications and hospital procedures, as it was thought to be purely biomedical based. After decades of research, pain is proven to consist of these three components: biological, such as genetics and tissues; psychological, like thoughts and feelings; and social factors, like socioeconomic status, social support and environmental factors. These three aspects need to be treated equally; otherwise, treating only the biological symptoms is only treating 2/3 of the pain problem.
CBT treatment for chronic pain involves pain education, mental and emotional strategies for pain management, and learning coping behaviors to deal with the pain every day. It encourages patients to take action into their own hands and gain a sense of control over their pain. Finding a therapist who practices CBT therapy is a great first step in getting started with CBT for chronic pain.
Are you experiencing chronic pain? Iconic Infusions has many pain management options for you, from ketamine infusions to IV hydration therapy. Ketamine infusions have been shown to help with chronic pain in as little as 1-2 infusions, with results lasting as long as 11-months. Schedule a free consultation with our clinic to see if you are a candidate for ketamine for chronic pain.
