Is It Really All in Your Head? New Study Says Chronic Pain Is, And That's How You're Helped
How many of us have been told it's all in our heads when it comes to chronic pain? Now a new study ays that's exactly where it is. And where it can be cured. According to newswise.com, psychologists play a primary role in chronic pain treatment. When it comes to chronic pain, psychological interventions often provide more relief than prescription drugs or surgery without the risk of side effects, but are used much less frequently than traditional medical treatments, the Web site reports. "Chronic pain affects 116 million American adults, making it more prevalent than heart disease, diabetes and cancer combined, and traditional medical approaches are inadequate," newswise quotes Mark P. Jensen, PhD, of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington, and lead author. That's why it's so important to get the treatment -- and get it right -- as soon as possible. Successful treatment approaches for chronic pain include cogn