About Pain Management

Pain Management

Many patients with chronic pain face a number of hurdles that, if left untreated, can impair their abilities to recover. Significant pain, especially if chronic, can be a life-altering condition, and medication usually has a central role in its treatment. However, the psychological factors are not always either fully recognized or adequately treated. If not properly addressed, these factors may prevent even the best medical management plan from being as effective as possible.

It is these psychological aspects that the clinical psychologist deals with when assessing a patient's pain and making recommendations for intervention. Dr. Yerzley teaches patients essential skills and strategies to manage their pain, allowing them to engage in their daily activities. She works closely with each patient's physician and monitors the patient's compliance with medication regimens and other medical interventions.

Since every patient experiences pain differently, a thorough assessment covering physiological, social, and psychological factors is an essential prerequisite to mapping a course of treatment. A pain management therapy course includes an initial evaluation, during which Dr. Yerzley gathers data about medication, stressors, and behavior that may affect the patient. She also takes a complete history of biological, psychological, and social factors that may be involved in the patient's pain perception process, and may administer psychological tests such as the Pain Patient Profile (P-3). She encourages active patient participation in the treatment process and works with each patient to identify an outcome which the patient sees as successful. Ongoing education regarding expected responses to treatment is critical in promoting the patient's role in the process.

Behavioral interventions such as relaxation training, biofeedback/neurofeedback training, and cognitive-behavioral therapy are particularly well suited for management of pain and other illnesses.

To explore some of the various aspects of pain further, take the Pain Profile.