Psychological Support

Description

Pain can be very difficult to control and, sometimes, even after many months of treatment, the patient may still suffer from pain. This can have many deleterious effects on one’s life. It may affect their job, home and relationships with others. Support from friends, family and co-workers is very important in this person’s time of need. Sometimes this is not enough, and the patient may need help from a trained psychological professional. With the help of the psychological professional, patients may be able to explore in-depth how pain is affecting life and relationships. Other services that a psychological interventionist may be able to provide include presurgical psychological screening, general psychological evaluation and treatments such as biofeedback and hypnotherapy. A referral to a psychologist should not be viewed as a sign that your care provider thinks you are crazy or making up your problem. It should be viewed as a sign that there is an appreciation for how stressful pain can be, as well as another possible means to help the patient control pain. Psychological treatment may also help a patient to have a realistic view of their spinal condition and the planned treatments.

Conditions Treated

Chronic pain, failed back surgery syndrome and patients with any diagnosis who may have a high level of stress or anxiety about their back/neck pain.

What Does Psychological Support Involve?

  • During the first visit with the psychologists, there may be an evaluation to complete as well as an interview.
  • How the pain is affecting a patient's life as well as concerns about the impact of health, finances and relationships are explored.
  • Some patients may complete a screening process prior to surgery to help gauge whether the surgical outcome may be compromised because of emotional and behavioral factors.
  • The psychologist may help the patient to control their pain by focusing on other things, relaxation techniques, biofeedback and hypnotherapy.