Pain Management

Chronic pain is a terrible experience outside the realm of what most people expect to encounter in their lifetimes. Some people have described it as similar to going through a war, but going through it alone. It can affect every part of your life!

In addition to severe discomfort and physical limitations, people with chronic pain often experience a wide range of secondary difficulties including:

  • Financial Problems
  • Occupational Problems
  • Marital Problems
  • Sexual Problems
  • Parenting Problems
  • Insurance Problems
  • Legal Problems
  • Emotional Reactions

In fact, it has been found that up to 80% of people with chronic pain develop a serious depressive disorder in reaction to their pain and the impact of the pain on their lives!

That is why both the American Medical Association and the American Pain Society consider pain focused psychotherapy to be an essential part of any comprehensive pain management treatment.

"But my pain is a physical problem. How can a psychologist help me?"

The sensation of pain is physical, but how we respond to it is related to what we think about the pain, how we feel about it and what we do to manage it. The medical research is clear that the mind can influence the body (and vise versa). That is why psychological pain management techniques that incorporate a "mind-body" connection can help lessen the transmission of pain signals. By developing a behavioral pain management program, you gain a sense of control over your pain.

That is where APS can help. Members of our team have been treating patients with chronic pain for over 17 years. Our treatment takes what we know about how the body registers and responds to pain and combines it with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Pacing, Biofeedback and Relaxation Training. Our goal is to give you the tools to help decrease the impact of pain and get your life back!