Managing Chronic Pain: A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Approach Therapist Guide by John D. Otis
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 contribute to their experience of pain.
Don’t forget to grab the accompanying workbook.
The 5th revised edition of this research-based manual describes how to use EMDR in the treatment of chronic pain. Includes a review of role of trauma and attachment problems in pain, neurological aspects of pain, Theoretical model of pain based on Accelerated Information Processing Model, step by step EMDR pain protocol, including detailed notes and tips for each stage, key differences between trauma protocol and pain protocol, advice about common blockages and how to deal with them, how to enhance client responsiveness to bilateral stimulation, how to develop strong affect-based resources for coping with on-going pain, adjunctive strategies and resources, assessment tools, information about dissociation and pain, numerous case-examples, and over 30 pages of photocopyable treatment aids and resources. After PTSD, pain is the most researched application of EMDR.
Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness by Jon Kabat-Zinn
Based on Jon Kabat-Zinn’s renowned mindfulness-based stress reduction program, this classic, groundbreaking work—which gave rise to a whole new field in medicine and psychology—shows you how to use medically proven mind-body approaches derived from meditation and yoga to counteract stress, establish greater balance of body and mind, and stimulate well-being and healing. By engaging in these mindfulness practices and integrating them into your life from moment to moment and from day to day, you can learn to manage chronic pain, promote optimal healing, reduce anxiety and feelings of panic, and improve the overall quality of your life, relationships, and social networks.
In The Pain Chronicles, Melanie Thernstrom traces conceptions of pain throughout the ages―from ancient Babylonian pain-banishing spells to modern brain imaging―to reveal the elusive, mysterious nature of pain itself. Interweaving first-person reflections on her own battle with chronic pain, incisive reportage from leading pain clinics and medical research, and insights from a wide range of disciplines, Thernstrom shows that when dealing with pain we are neither as advanced as we imagine nor as helpless as we may fear.
Other Resources
Trauma Releasing Exercises Step By Step Video Instruction and Demonstration David Berceli
*while this resource isn’t specifically for chronic pain, several therapists said that they use these exercises with clients who are struggling with pain.
Dr. David Berceli is a former monk who spent 15 years as trauma specialist in war zones and areas of natural disaster before leaving his order to establish Trauma Releasing Exercises within the professional and therapeutic community . Dr. Berceli developed these simple physical exercises to help individuals and groups recover from periods of horrendous stress and trauma. The exercises are revolutionary in their calming effectiveness, and ability to work across in all cultures , nationalities ,and religions. The exercises can assist in counseling or be used a self- help tool. Don’t be fooled by the title of this DVD . You do not need to have experienced trauma to benefit from the technique. Anyone who is experiencing mental stress, excessive worry and even the feeling of financial trauma can use these simple exercises to enhance well being. If you are stressed and no matter how many times you talk the negative feelings keep coming back, these exercises are for you. In addition to explaining how stress, anxiety, and trauma affect our mental well-being and physical health, The Revolutionary Trauma Release DVD explains the body’s amazing ability to permanently release tension by using this technique. By reestablishing our equilibrium, stabilizing our lives, and returning us to emotional health, the exercises allow us to enjoy a vibrant state of being. The exercises are easy .The DVD contains a step by step demonstration. The DVD concludes with interviews of individuals and therapists who are using the exercises with success and experiencing significantly greater well-being.
This is Not What I Ordered is a highly recommended podcast for people struggling with chronic pain.
