Comprehensive treatment of chronic pain syndrome requires that both its psychological and pharmacologic management needs be addressed. In this article, we review the typical psychological and psychiatric treatments for chronic pain. Relaxation training in its many variants including meditation, mindfulness training, and biofeedback training is a core element in treating chronic pa in. It has long been accepted that there is a relationship between pain and anxiety in that anxiety both increases the experienced intensity of pain and causes chronic physical tension, itself a pain generator. Consequently, relaxation training is among the most commonly prescribed psychological treatment methods for chronic pain syndrome.
Relaxation training is relatively easy to implement.
The physician, psychologist, or trained nursing staff can provide a guided relaxation induction in the office. The induction can be tailored to the patient s particular needs, perhaps focusing upon a physical area in which the patient experiences tension or pain. The relaxation induction can be audiotaped, and the patient can practice by listening to the tape at home. Research indicates that conscientious home practice can result in lowered levels of both experienced anxiety and experienced pain. One frequent complicating factor in chronic pain cases is sleep disturbance.