Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (12)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Disclaimer
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Pither, C E
Right arrow Articles by Nicholas, M K
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Pither, C E
Right arrow Articles by Nicholas, M K
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

British Medical Bulletin 47:743-761 (1991)
© 1991 The British Council

research-article

Psychological approaches in chronic pain management

C E Pither and M K Nicholas

St. Thomas' Pain Management Centre, St. Thomas' Hospital London, UK

Abstract

Psychological factors are contributory to the genesis and maintenance of many chronic pain syndromes. Treatment can be delivered either as one component of multimodal therapy or as the sole approach in a pain management programme. This distinction is important as it has a bearing on the goals of treatment, which in the latter situation is to improve management of the pain and encourage the patient to take more repsonsibility for their treatment, rather than cure the illness.

Treatment typically comprises elements of operant conditioning, where activity and performance can be substantially improved, and cognitive therapy where the thoughts and emotions associated with the pain are tackled, leading to diminution of distresss. Relaxation training is also of benefit.

The documented success of these techniques in various settings suggests that psychological treatment should be considered a necessary component of any multidisciplinary clinic offering therapies to chronic pain sufferers.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?




Disclaimer:
Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.