Description
Why is chronic pain so difficult to treat and why aren?۪t opioids the answer? When pain moves
from acute to chronic, the central nervous system changes and the brain rewires. Since pain is
both a sensory and emotional experience, the brain can modulate it. Pain is in the brain and
perception can be changed with various behavioral interventions. Expertise in behavioral
interventions for pain management as part of an interdisciplinary approach is needed to
combat the current opioid epidemic. This workshop will focus on mind-body interventions that
turn down the volume on pain, alter pain perception and improve function.
Presented by: Linda Mintle, Ph.D.
Learning Objectives
Participants will:
- Describe the difference between acute and chronic pain and discuss how chronic pain develops through central sensitization
- Analyze the role of thoughts, emotions and behaviors on turning down the volume of pain and explore how mind-body treatments change pain perception
- Describe evidence-based tools and techniques aimed at reducing chronic pain and increasing patient functioning
