The Pain Management Program staff makes a concerted effort to fully understand the complexities of each individual’s pain experience and to legitimize the pain a person feels. Although the vast majority of patients’ pain experiences are real, an important aspect of a person’s chronic pain rehabilitation is developing an understanding of the brain’s integral involvement in the perception of pain.

Is it normal for me to be depressed and to have sleep problems when I’m in pain?

Yes, it is very common for people to experience depression and sleep disturbance with chronic pain. The majority of patients treated in the Pain Management Program begin the program with a mild to moderate level of depressive symptoms. Treatment outcomes for depression are very positive with most patients completing their program with a sub-clinical level of depression. Patients are also provided with nonpharmacological sleep hygiene strategies that can dramatically improve the quality of their sleep.

Does my stress affect my pain?

Stress and pain are strongly correlated. Many individuals with chronic pain find themselves trapped in a vicious cycle. Pain causes increased stress, which in turn causes muscle tightness and an elevated focus on the pain, which ultimately leads to increased pain. At the Pain Management Program, patients receive intensive stress management training to help them learn to exit the stress-pain cycle.

Why do you ask my family to be involved in my treatment?

A person’s support system plays a vital role in the effective self-management of chronic pain. Often, family members feel helpless because they don’t know how to respond to a loved one who has chronic pain. The primary focus of family involvement is to inform the family members of ways that they can help a person reach the highest level of functioning and fulfillment while managing their pain. A significant emphasis is also placed on improving communication among family members.