Can Therapy Alter CNS Processing of Chronic Pain: A Longitudinal Study

Each CBT session will last 90 minutes and will teach participants specific skills to better cope with chronic pain. These skills will include breathing exercises, distraction, and relaxation techniques.

Subjects will receive mailed educational materials to their homes on a weekly basis. Weekly materials will contain information about the nature of chronic back pain, treatment options, exercises and stretching techniques for maintaining strength and flexibility, and proper protection for a healthy back. Pain education is the standard of care for most outpatient clinics.

Therapeutic Interactive Voice Response as a daily self monitoring and relapse prevention tool with didactic reviews and practices of recorded skills and monthly feedback based on daily calls.