The Behavioral Medicine Department at The Pain Treatment Center of the Bluegrass has its own dedicated location on Regency Road in Lexington. Every patient we treat will be evaluated here as a part of our interdisciplinary approach to pain management. Our team evaluates each patient based on their unique set of circumstances and makes recommendations to be considered for overall treatment planning.
Our behavioral medicine patients
Here you will find a description of all the different types of patients who will be seen by the Behavioral Medicine staff at The Pain Treatment Center of the Bluegrass.
All new patients
As part of the multi-modal treatment plan offered at The Pain Treatment Center of the Bluegrass, all patients are referred to the Behavioral Medicine Department for psychological evaluation and treatment. Patients in pain often feel anxiety, stress, hopelessness, and depression. Many patients express frustration because they no longer can do things they used to do or because they’re unable to work. Behavioral medicine is part of the treatment program at the Center.
Our Behavioral Medicine Department addresses the emotional and psychological aspect of pain. Patients complete questionnaires relevant to their pain, and this information is shared with the patient’s doctor to be incorporated into the treatment program. Ongoing visits or referrals are also often scheduled. Studies show pain and emotion are closely tied together; and as such, it is believed that effective pain management requires treatment of both mind and body.
Patients referred for pain coping/cognitive behavioral therapy
A patient is referred when he/she is seeking to change from living without pain to learning to live with pain. The patient is taught pain coping skills such as relaxation therapy, biofeedback, hypnosis, pacing activities, and cognitive coping skills. Therapy addresses negative thoughts that increase tension and arousal. The patient learns how to better manage his/her pain and frequently experiences less pain as he/she begins to feel more in control.
Patients evaluated for surgical implants (intrathecal pump and spinal cord stimulator)
A full psychological evaluation (including some or all of the following: an in-depth diagnostic interview, review of records, an MMPI-2 Beck Depression Inventory, Multidimensional Pain Inventory, Pain Anxiety Assessment Scale, and Pain Disability Scale) is performed when a patient is evaluated for surgical implants. A full psychological assessment is part of the pre-screening process and is often required by insurance companies.
For additional details on our Behavioral Medicine Department, please feel free to contact our office in Lexington, KY.