Treating the mind
Research supports the fact that chronic pain is inextricably linked to a
person's mental state. Therefore, pain management centers are
increasingly equipping patients with tools for understanding and navi-
gating the mind-body connection. Alternative treatments — things like
biofeedback, cognitive therapy, guided imagery, acupuncture, cryo-
therapy and even massage, along with physical and occupational ther-
apies — are key to a multidisciplinary approach to targeting pain and
achieving functional restoration. "You'll see a greater integration of
these things at pain management centers that have the resources,"
says Mr. Saenz. "Those that don't can refer patients to other places.
It's not about keeping people under one roof anymore. Physicians
have to put proper care above fear of losing a patient."
OSM
1 0 8 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • J U N E 2 0 1 7
