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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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Tutorial Walkthrough

The avatar will help guide you through the website.

This tutorial will walk you through the interactive components of the website.

  1. Click the arrows on the left and right sides to move through the tutorial.
  2. Click the icon in the upper right to close the tutorial.
  3. Click the avatar icon therapist avatar to access tutorial at any time.

The avatar will help guide you through the website.

chronic pain avatar tutorial

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

chronic pain video

Click the wheel icons to view the treatment steps. The current step will be at the top of the wheel.

chornic pain wheel images

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!

doctor describing chronic pain

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

female vet pushing pain scale

and fewer unhelpful thoughts related to pain.

vet in pain

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

vet having pain

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

people discussing hiking

What Happens in Treatment?

CBT-CP helps people with chronic pain change thoughts and behaviors that affect pain. By teaching proven skills, CBT-CP can help you take control of your pain, rather than it take control of you.

Click on an item on the wheel to learn about the different steps of CBT-CP!

person running changes wheel item

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.
fishing changes wheel item

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.
relaxation skills changes wheel item

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.
unhelpful thoughts changes wheel item

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.
sleeping changes wheel item

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!

person running

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.
fishing

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.
relaxation skills

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.
unhelpful thoughts

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.
sleeping

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.
Next: View The Treatment Process Up Close

Next, let’s look a bit closer at what CBT for Chronic Pain looks like.

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