Pain Management Unit Psychology Service

Locations: Pain Management Unit, Level 6, Emergency Block.

Chronic pain can be defined as pain that lasts for more than three months despite medical intervention and treatment. The Clinical Psychology service in the Pain Management Unit provides a specialist service including assessment, treatment and management planning, as well as group and individual therapy to patients and their families. The service also provides consultation to other members of staff and outside agencies in relation to psychological aspects of chronic pain and chronic pain management.

Research and evaluation are also important aspects of the psychological service to the Pain Management Unit.

How Can Psychologists Help?

Often people with chronic pain are also suffering from depression, anger, anxiety problems, sleeping problems, sexual concerns, drug related problems, and more. Chronic pain not only affects the individual but also their family, employment, leisure activities and life goals. Often chronic pain sufferers who have had trauma or violence in their past find it especially difficult to cope and manage their pain effectively.

The primary psychological contribution to the multidisciplinary pain intervention at the Unit is the 10 week Cognitive Behavioural pain management group. This group is run in conjunction with a physiotherapist. The program covers the following areas:

• Relaxation training to reduce stress and assist with coping.
• Education about chronic pain, anatomy, physiology and pain mechanisms.
• Sleep problems.
• Relationship issues in chronic pain and illness.
• Mood management and emotional wellbeing.
• Setting goals and 'winning back territory' from the pain.
• Activity pacing.
• Discussions to help people examine their thoughts and beliefs about pain; and     how these thoughts influence what they are able to achieve.

Some individual psychological sessions are also available and these may include family or other support people, and can be conducted with the assistance of an interpreter. These sessions maintain a close focus on helping better manage pain and increase activity, community involvement and quality of life.

HOW TO COPE WITH CHRONIC PAIN

1. Come to Terms with It.

Accepting that there is no quick answer to your pain problems is the first step to gaining control of your pain and taking control of your life again.

2. Don’t get into the habit of "Doctor Shopping"

Going to lots of different doctors looking for treatment can lead to unrealistic hopes and often leads to confusion amongst the doctors and in yourself. It also keeps the focus on the pain and stops you from doing other things that you might enjoy. (Think about all the hours waiting in doctor’s waiting rooms!).

3. Keep as Active and as Fit as Possible

This means achieving a balanced lifestyle between rest, activity, leisure and diet. A physiotherapist can talk with you about specific exercises that might help you.

4. Pace Your Activities

Are you the sort of person who either keeps going in spite of the pain, or waits until a "good day" and then gets everything done (only to spend the next day or two lying in bed recovering)? Well, you may need to learn how to pace yourself. Pacing involves looking at how you organise your day, and setting small achievable goals so that you are able to manage as much as possible without suffering afterwards.

5. Talk

Talk to your doctor or nurse, or ask to see one of the psychologists in the pain unit. Talking about problems is one of the first steps to working out a solution.

6. Learn how to really relax!

Stresses and worries can increase your state of physical tension, which can in turn worsen your pain. The psychologist can teach you a variety of relaxation techniques to relax your mind and body — and decrease your pain.

Referrals for psychological service are accepted from the Pain Unit outpatient clinic at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.