Chronic pain is a prevalent health concern among older adults, often due to long-term conditions like arthritis and cancer. Pain can make everyday life difficult – and often leads to emotional distress, isolation and even dependence on pain medication.
But there’s hope beyond prescriptions. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a powerful, evidence-based approach that helps people manage pain by changing the way they think and react to it. This approach will empower you to reduce your reliance on medications.
What Is CBT?
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of talk therapy focused on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. Originally developed to treat depression and anxiety, CBT has since proven effective in managing a wide range of health conditions – including chronic pain.
CBT doesn’t try to eliminate pain. Instead, it helps people learn how to cope with their symptoms, reduce their emotional suffering and improve their quality of life.
How CBT Helps With Chronic Pain
Pain is more than a physical sensation. It also involves your thoughts, emotions and behaviors. When you with chronic pain, it’s easy to fall into patterns of fear, avoidance, hopelessness and inactivity – all of which can make you feel worse. CBT works by breaking that cycle.
- Changing pain-related thoughts: Many people develop catastrophic thinking patterns about their pain, such as “I’ll never feel better” or “This pain is ruining my life.” CBT teaches you to identify these thoughts and replace them with more balanced, realistic ones.
- Encouraging healthy behaviors: People with chronic pain may avoid activity out of fear of worsening their symptoms. CBT promotes safe and gradual re-engagement with physical and social activities, which can lessen pain and improve function.
- Managing stress and emotions: Stress, anxiety and depression often make chronic pain worse. CBT teaches coping strategies like relaxation techniques and problem-solving skills to reduce emotional distress.
- Improving sleep: Poor sleep can heighten pain sensitivity. CBT techniques such as sleep hygiene education and cognitive restructuring can restore healthier sleep patterns.
What to Expect From CBT Sessions
CBT for chronic pain is typically a short-term treatment delivered in weekly sessions, either individually or in a group setting. During your appointments, you may:
- Learn how pain and mood interact
- Keep track of your thoughts, feelings and symptoms
- Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation
- Set achievable activity goals and track your progress
- Develop problem-solving and pacing skills
- Complete “homework” assignments between sessions to apply what you’ve learned
Most importantly, CBT is collaborative. You’ll work closely with your therapist to build a personalized toolkit of strategies you can use long after treatment ends.
Who Can Benefit?
CBT is especially helpful for older adults and others who are:
- Living with long-term health conditions
- Struggling with depression or anxiety related to their pain
- At risk for opioid dependence or already misusing pain medications
- Looking for non-medical ways to improve their quality of life
It’s never too late to make a fresh start. While CBT may not eliminate pain, it can change how you relate to it – thereby restoring your control, hope and purpose.
A Healthier Approach to Pain Management
Hemet Valley Recovery Center & Sage Retreat’s chronic pain program provides holistic treatments that address body and mind. CBT is one of the many tools we use to help clients manage pain more effectively, reduce their reliance on medications and reclaim a better quality of life.
Help is available if you struggle to cope with chronic pain. Contact us today to learn more about cognitive behavioral therapy and our comprehensive approach to long-term recovery and wellness.