The Psychology of Chronic Back Pain

I wanted to post this article by science writer Jonah Lehrer because it provides another perspective on overcoming back pain.  As a Pilates and Gyrotonic personal trainer I notice that many clients with back pain are afraid to move and are advised by their physicians to seek surgery. This article brings up alternative solutions.  I would love to know your thoughts on the subject!?

A growing cadre of doctors and scientists now believes that chronic back pain is a disease of the nervous system, not the spine. This breakthrough has opened the doors to new kinds of treatments that could banish back pain forever.

“Many patients with chronic back pain develop a deep sense of hopelessness,” Kerns says. “These therapies show them that they can develop everday strategies that make them feel better. I think one of the things that modern medicine has forgotten is that it’s important to treat the whole person, and this means addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of the pain. When it comes to back pain, just fixing a ‘broken’ body part often isn’t enough.”

Click here for the complete article.