Behavioral Medicine is an interdisciplinary field that includes biofeedback, psychology, occupational therapy, rehabilitation medicine, physiatry and preventative medicine. Techniques such as biofeedback and relaxation training have been shown to significantly improve patients’ ability to manage their pain and insomnia (National Institute of Health, 1995). This type of behavioral medicine uses a physiological monitor and relaxation techniques to increase a patient’s control over basic physiology (muscle tension, breathing, heart rate, temperature, skin resistance, etc.), thus helping them to decrease pain. Meditation and relaxation training also improve patients’ overall sense of well-being. We also offer neuropsychiatric testing.
Biofeedback and relaxation training utilize a physiological monitor and relaxation techniques to increase a patient’s control over basic physiology (breathing, heart rate, temperature, skin resistance, etc.), thus helping them to decrease pain. It typically takes about 10-12 individual sessions to be effective. The treatment last approximately 50 minutes per visit. Because of its strong support in the research, it is sometimes authorized by insurance plans. Here at the Pasadena Rehabilitation Institute, Philip Corrado, Ph.D. provides these services.
Cognitive-Behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to significantly improve patients’ ability to manage their chronic pain and insomnia, stress and cardiac problems. It is a type of behavioral medicine that examines the relationship between thoughts, behaviors, physiology, and moods to see how they may be exacerbating pain. It typically takes about 10-12 individual sessions to be effective. Each visit lasts approximately 50 minutes, and is a type of talk psychotherapy. Sometimes insurance plans will cover this type of treatment. However, due to its complimentary nature, it is not always a covered benefit under some insurance plans. When this is the case, you can pay out-of-pocket, or try to access the services in a less expensive group format (e.g., through the pain support group here at PRI).
In addition, we provide Pain Support Group Services, which educate people on pain management skills, communication and assertiveness skills, sleep, pacing, anxiety, depression, relationships, and give people a connection to and support from other patients who are experiencing similar chronic pain symptoms.