Psychological pain therapy

What is psychological pain therapy? 

Psychological pain therapy is a method of treating chronic pain. The focus lies on gaining a better understanding of the pain and learning various strategies to manage it. When treating chronic pain, psychological therapy should be seen as one of several parts of a multimodal therapy.

What is multimodal pain therapy?

Multimodal pain therapy is based on an understanding that pain is a multidimensional experience, known as the biopsychosocial pain model. It identifies three levels on which pain is experienced:

• biological

The biological level refers to the physical aspects of pain. It includes, for example, the reception of a pain stimulus through nerve cells and its transmission to the brain, an increase in heart rate, and a muscular response.

• psychological

This refers to the mental and emotional experience of pain. On the psychological level, pain can trigger feelings such as fear or hopelessness. Many chronic pain patients experience intense mental focus on their pain.

• social

Chronic pain, in particular, has social consequences, such as loss of employment or social isolation due to reduced participation in everyday activities. There can also be a so-called secondary gain from pain, in which increased attention from others occurs as a result.

Since pain is a complex experience involving different levels, a multimodal therapeutic approach has become established in recent decades. This approach involves professionals from various fields, including pain medicine, nursing, psychology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and social work. In specialized clinics, these disciplines collaborate to treat chronic pain as holistically as possible. A multimodal approach is also recommended in outpatient settings to simultaneously analyze and treat the different dimensions of pain.

What is the purpose of psychological pain therapy?  

The realistic goal of psychological pain therapy is not to completely eliminate the pain, but to restore the ability to actively participate in life. Patients should be given various techniques that allow them to manage their pain and thereby reduce their restrictions in many areas of life.

Feelings of helplessness and loss of control are often among the stressors that contribute to chronic pain persisting or even worsening, which in turn reinforces negative feelings and thoughts. The aim is to break this downward spiral.

The therapy focuses on two areas: Patient education and learning coping strategies and preventative behaviors.

It is important that the patient understands how chronic pain arises and is sustained. In contrast to acute pain, chronic pain is not usually associated with an injury to the body. Therefore, it is not a meaningful alarm signal of the body, but a malfunction, according to current knowledge, due to a pain reception that has become hypersensitive.

Furthermore, strategies are taught that can contribute to pain occurring less frequently and with less intensity, enabling the patient to cope with it better. This can often significantly improve the patient's participation in everyday activities.

For which illnesses is this type of therapy used?

Psychological pain therapy can be used for any form of chronic pain. This is distinguished from physiological, acute pain.

• acute pain

Acute pain is temporary and is usually the result of tissue damage. For example, pain in the hand after touching a hot plate or a sore throat with pharyngitis belong to this category.

Acute pain is a warning signal from the body that helps us to avoid further damage. For example, we pull our hand away from the hot stove when we feel pain in our fingers, or we take it easy when we have a sore throat and dress warmly. Acute pain is an important protective function of our body..

• chronic pain

Chronic pain is either present constantly for at least three months or recurs regularly. The psychological and social consequences are often pronounced. With chronic pain, the pain does not serve to avoid further tissue damage and therefore has no benefit. It is a malfunction of a pathologically hypersensitive nervous system, which the patient often finds difficult to distinguish from acute pain, and is perpetuated and aggravated by unfavorable behavioral and thought patterns.

Chronic pain conditions include fibromyalgia, compartment syndrome, and various forms of unspecified chronic pain, such as back, abdominal, or headaches. Chronic pain is also common in the context of rheumatic diseases or cancer.

For all of these types of pain, psychological pain therapy can play a key role in reducing pain and improving quality of life.

How is psychological pain therapy carried out in practice? 

The therapy starts with a comprehensive pain assessment. As psychological pain therapy is often carried out as part of a multimodal treatment, physical, psychological and social factors are identified in this assessment.

Knowledge about chronic pain is taught in individual or group sessions and thoughts and behaviors that promote stress and pain, as well as external conditions, are analyzed. Psychological pain therapy works in particular with behavioral therapy methods. Patients learn and practise relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation and breathing techniques, or techniques for directing attention in order to cope with pain. In discussions with the therapist, realistic future perspectives are developed and mindfulness, acceptance and problem-solving strategies are practiced.

Which doctors and clinics specialize in psychological pain therapy? 

The following specialists can obtain the corresponding additional qualifications by undergoing further training in psychological pain therapy:

• specialists in psychiatry and psychotherapy
• specialists in psychotherapeutic medicine
• specialists in psychosomatics and psychotherapy
• psychological psychotherapists

For severe cases it is particularly advisable to carry out psychological therapy as part of multimodal pain therapy. In addition to psychological pain therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy, pain physicians, nursing staff and social workers are available in a specialized clinic.

A foundation of trust is particularly important for psychological therapy. As a patient, you want a therapist whose expertise and experience you can rely on. We can help you find certified specialists. All doctors and clinics listed here have been checked by us and are characterized by special experience in the field of psychological pain therapy.

Anyone in need of a doctor would expect the best possible medical care for themselves. Therefore, patients are looking for the most suitable clinic for their needs. Since this is not an objective decision and a respectable doctor would refrain from claiming to be the best, patients must trust the experience of a doctor.

We can help you find an appropriate expert for your condition. All the doctors and clinics listed have undergone extensive review and have been verified by us for their outstanding expertise in the field of osteoid osteoma. They are looking forward to and are ready to address your questions and treatment requests.