Chronic pain has a multitude of causes, many of which
are not well understood or effectively treated by
medical therapies. Individuals with chronic pain often
report that pain interferes with their ability to engage
in occupational, social, or recreational activities.
Their inability to engage in these everyday activities
may contribute to increased isolation, negative mood,
and physical deconditioning, which in turn can
exacerbate their experience of pain.
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) has been proven
effective at managing various chronic pain conditions,
including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, chronic
back pain and tension/migraine headache. CBT engages
patients in an active coping process aimed at changing
maladaptive thoughts and behaviours that can serve to
maintain and exacerbate the experience of chronic pain.
This Therapist Guide distils many of these empirically
validated techniques into one convenient volume. Each
session presents the basic methods of a technique, such
as stress management, sleep hygiene, relaxation therapy,
and cognitive restructuring.Designed to be used in
conjunction with the corresponding Workbook, this
Therapist Guide offers a complete treatment program.It
provides session outlines, sample dialogues, and
homework assignments for each technique, as well as
addresses assessment and relapse. This program can be
used for the successful management of chronic pain,
helping patients regain control of their lives. |
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