What is cognitive behavioral therapy?
When you’re recovering from injury or surgery or want to alleviate pain, taking care of your mind is as important as attending to your physical health. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been found in a new study to be more effective than exercise for relief of back pain when combined with a tailored exercise program.
CBT, a form of psychotherapy, focuses on changing thought patterns and behaviors that impair daily functioning and reduce quality of life. It is based on the idea that psychological problems result from unhelpful or dysfunctional ways of thinking and learned patterns of negative behavior, and that people suffering from these types of problems can learn better coping strategies. These strategies, in turn, can help people develop healtiher, more effective approaches to daily life.
CBT treatment will vary from one person to another depending on individual goals. However, it usually focuses on helping people learn to recognize distortions in their thinking that are producing negative thoughts and behaviors. A therapist who uses the tools of CBT will teach the client problem-solving skills to deal with difficult situations, and enable them to develop greater confidence in their own abilities. These strategies, in turn, can help the individual become more aware of unproductive behavior patterns and develop more effective ways of coping with daily life.
The connection between cognitive behavioral therapy and pain relief
A recent study found that individualized approaches to back pain that combined tailored training sessions with CBT were more effective for pain relief than exercise alone. CBT has also been found effective for depression, fatigue, anxiety, stress, and pain that often accompany multiple sclerosis. In addition, it has been found to have a positive, though modest, effect on chronic pain such as joint pain, back pain, and headache, and to be a useful addition to treatment for fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome.
Your mind and body both play a role in physical therapy
Physical therapy on its own is highly effective for a range of health conditions. PT can help with:
- rehab from sports-related injuries
- pain relief and management
- support for neurological conditions such as Alzheimers and Parkinson's disease
- reduction in arthritis symptoms
- reduction in complications from pelvic floor dysfunction
- shortening post-operative recovery time.
However, individualized care plans that include CBT were found to be 84% higher than standard treatment alone – a dramatic increase. These benefits were not limited to the combination of CBT and physical therapy. Yoga, mindfulness training, meditation, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), family therapy, and group therapy can all be useful additions to a personalized rehabilitation plan for pain reduction and improved quality of life.
Let our physical therapy team get you moving and feeling better
Our team members are movement experts who create customized treatments to provide you with the relief you need to move and feel better. Let us help you with an individualized plan to get your mind and body working together for effective pain relief and recovery. Reach out to us online at https://www.fyzical.com/lanham/Contact or give us a call at 301-579-0143. We’re excited about being part of your health journey!