Chronic Pain Treatment

Chronic pain is best understood through a biopsychosocial model, meaning physical,
psychological, and neurological factors all interact. Therapy helps “turn down the volume” of
pain by changing how the brain processes it.

Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches:

1. Pain Neuroscience Education:

Clients learn how pain works in the brain and nervous system, including:

• Why pain can persist even after tissue healing
•  How the brain amplifies or dampens pain signals
• The role of stress and emotions in pain intensity

This knowledge alone often reduces fear and distress around pain.

2. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Pain:

CBT helps:

• Reduce pain-related distress
• Challenge unhelpful beliefs (“I’ll never get better”)
• Improve coping and functioning despite pain

3. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT):

ACT focuses on:

• Reducing the struggle against pain
• Increasing engagement in meaningful activities
• Building psychological flexibility

4. Pain Reprocessing Techniques:

Where appropriate, we incorporate strategies that:

• Retrain the brain’s interpretation of pain signals
• Reduce fear-avoidance cycles
• Support gradual return to movement and activity

5. Behavioural Activation & Functional Restoration:

We help clients:

• Reintroduce activity safely
• Improve sleep routines
• Increase participation in work and daily life

5. Trauma-Informed Care:

For clients whose pain is linked to injury or trauma (e.g., MVAs), we address:

• Nervous system sensitization
• PTSD-related symptoms

Emotional responses tied to the pain experience.