On the last page, we learned about evidence-based treatments. Now, let’s take a look at one of these proven treatments for pain, called CBT for Chronic Pain.

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Click on this video to learn about CBT for Chronic Pain treatment.

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Let’s learn about Proven Treatment for Chronic Pain

What is CBT for Chronic Pain?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP) is an evidence-based treatment option for chronic pain shown to be effective in helping people better manage and take control of chronic pain and its effects. CBT-CP teaches proven skills for changing thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that affect how people experience pain.

Watch this video to learn more about CBT-CP treatment. And check out the wheel at the bottom of this page to learn about the specific parts of treatment!

Many years of research have shown that CBT-CP is effective in improving how people experience and manage chronic pain.

and fewer unhelpful thoughts related to pain.

Overall, Veterans who complete CBT-CP report fewer negative effects of pain on their daily lives …

CBT-CP is recommended by experts as part of an overall treatment approach for chronic pain.

Get Moving Again

People with chronic pain often limit movement to avoid flare-ups and protect parts of the body. Limiting movement though actually weakens muscles and lowers one’s confidence and mood. In CBT-CP, you will learn how to slowly introduce physical activities back into your life in a way that works for you. This can increase your muscle strength and energy level.

Increase Pleasant Activities

Coping with pain often leads people to avoid doing things they used to enjoy. This can bring on feelings of sadness, frustration, or guilt. These feelings may lead people to further withdraw and spend more time focusing on their pain. CBT-CP helps you find activities that provide pleasure or meaning and then put these back into your life.

Learn Relaxation Skills

An important part of treatment involves training in effective relaxation skills for lowering tension and stress that contribute to pain. These proven skills help manage your body’s natural responses to pain and calm the nervous system.

Change Unhelpful Thoughts Related to Pain

You may often think about your pain or worry about what it means for you. This can bring on stress and difficult emotions, like sadness, frustration, or guilt. These difficult thoughts and emotions “turn up the volume” on chronic pain. During treatment, you will learn how to reframe your thoughts to improve how you feel and to take control of your pain.

Improve Sleep

Chronic pain often interferes with sleep. And sleep problems can increase pain sensitivity. CBT-CP can help you learn proven skills for improving sleep, including strategies for sleeping longer and better.

Click the arrows below to learn about the different steps of CBT-CP!