Henry Ford Behavioral Health Services offers a six-week program for Chronic Pain Management, followed by either individual or group therapy. The program provides critical information about the nature and experience of pain, proper use of relaxation techniques, the role of how one thinks about pain in the overall experience of pain, proper use of medications and ways of communicating with physicians, how to engage in exercise effectively and safely, and how to set personal goals in relation to pain. Participants are expected to continue to work with their regular physicians for pain management and may be referred to one of our psychiatrists for antidepressants, if needed.
Chronic Pain is a syndrome that persists beyond the normal time expected for healing, or is more disabling than a typical recovery from injury or illness. Individuals with this problem typically avoid activities that could produce pain, are far more restricted in their daily activities, experience severe depression and discouragement and often feel alienated from family and friends. While pain relief itself is a great desire, it often cannot be achieved to the level expected by the affected individual. Often a compromise between pain relief and impairment caused by the drugs is required.
