Chronic pain is defined as pain lasting longer than 3 months, or beyond the normal time for tissue healing. It can lead to significant medical, social, and economic consequences, not to mention it's effects on one's personal life, such depression, anxiety, and relationship issues.
As therapists, we provide individual therapy to help reduce feelings of depression, anxiety, and feelings of helplessness/hopelessness that can exacerbate chronic pain symptoms. Our thoughts and feelings are intricately tied to our body sensations, so improving one's mood can have significant beneficial effects on the body.
For the reduction of physical symptoms, Dr. Theroux used to treat individuals suffering from chronic pain with biofeedback-assisted relaxation therapy, passive/progressive muscle relaxation. the idea was to reduce muscle tension levels that would exacerbate chronic pain symptoms. From 1992 to 2012, she found that her clients could reduce muscle tension levels in her office, but these skills did not generalize into their everyday lives.
Then, she read about a mindfulness-based, evidence-based intervention called Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Using mindful meditation, gentle stretching, and the cultivation of mindful communication skills, research has shown that people who participate in mindfulness-based interventions like MBSR can not only significantly reduce depressive symptoms associated with chronic pain, but improve their quality of life and reduce the magnitude of pain severity! The research was so strong, she became certified to teach MBSR through the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and has been teaching MBSR in medical centers, the south Florida community, and online.
As therapists, we provide individual therapy to help reduce feelings of depression, anxiety, and feelings of helplessness/hopelessness that can exacerbate chronic pain symptoms. Our thoughts and feelings are intricately tied to our body sensations, so improving one's mood can have significant beneficial effects on the body.
For the reduction of physical symptoms, Dr. Theroux used to treat individuals suffering from chronic pain with biofeedback-assisted relaxation therapy, passive/progressive muscle relaxation. the idea was to reduce muscle tension levels that would exacerbate chronic pain symptoms. From 1992 to 2012, she found that her clients could reduce muscle tension levels in her office, but these skills did not generalize into their everyday lives.
Then, she read about a mindfulness-based, evidence-based intervention called Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Using mindful meditation, gentle stretching, and the cultivation of mindful communication skills, research has shown that people who participate in mindfulness-based interventions like MBSR can not only significantly reduce depressive symptoms associated with chronic pain, but improve their quality of life and reduce the magnitude of pain severity! The research was so strong, she became certified to teach MBSR through the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and has been teaching MBSR in medical centers, the south Florida community, and online.