Early experiences of a multidisciplinary pain management programme

Abstract

Chronic pain patients need comprehensive management programmes which emphasize the need for self-control strategies and personal control of the consequences of their disability. Labelling such patients’ complaints as ‘psychological’ is misleading since many do not show evidence of emotional distress. They can, nevertheless, benefit from courses of treatment run on behavioural principles which encourage achievement of individual goals and reduction of pain complaining. The course described here addresses these aims, and is able to show changes in reported disability, in spite of failing to show any reduction in pain ratings.

Key Words:

• Behavioural techniques
• Chronic pain Disability