Tips to lessen back pain. Part six; Talking therapies.

CBT is becoming increasingly recognised as a way to lessen back pain.  If all else seems to be failing in your quest to cure or lessen back pain, then one of the talking therapies may be useful. This type of therapy can be used in conjunction with other treatments.

Your GP can refer you for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT); as it is increasingly used to help manage back pain in the absence of a cure. CBT can be used to help you manage stress, adapt to your condition, and teach relaxation techniques. CBT can lessen the intensity of back pain, alter perceptions about levels of pain and help lift depression.

CBT was originally developed through a merging of behavioural therapy and cognitive therapy. It concentrates on the “here and now” or mindfulness –based stress reduction.

Kabat-Zinn (1990) pioneered the integration of traditional Buddhist mindfulness meditation practices into an accessible psychological-educational eight –session programme called Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).

The intention was to take the ancient practice of mindfulness, and turn it into an accessible secular and mainstream programme, which could inform the lives of patients who suffer from chronic pain. These ideas were further developed to encompass western ideology with the emerging CBT. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommends CBT as the treatment of choice for a number of Issues including the management of chronic back pain…

Always speak to your GP before using alternative methods of treatment.