Self Management Training
There are many types of healthy stress reduction activities that can teach patients how to better manage their pain. These techniques may include a variety of relaxation techniques, meditation, breathing techniques, visual imagery, and biofeedback training. Another behavioral strategy is time-based pacing, or an activity-rest cycle. Patients are taught to keep a schedule that consists of pleasant activities and safely chosen chores or other work related activities. Other skills include the creation of plans for dealing with a flare-up of the pain. Psychologists can help patients practice newly learned coping skills to be used in high risk and high stress situations.
