Psychotherapy for Back Pain

Psychotherapy for back pain is a drastic form of knowledge therapy used to treat severe psychosomatic back pain. Psychotherapy is a form of emotional/psychological therapy derived from psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis was invented by the brilliant neurologist Sigmund Freud in the late 1800�s.

psychotherapy for back pain

Psychotherapy involves one on one meetings between the patient and the therapist. The therapist helps the patient get in touch with their inner emotions and resolve psychological issues which have been repressed. Group therapy is often used in later sessions, as a way to show the patient that they are not alone in their problems.

Psychological Back Pain

Many common back pain syndromes are actually caused by psychological and emotional issues. The mind can exert tremendous power over the physical body. Sometimes the subconscious mind is so threatened by some repressed emotional issue, that it creates a diversion of pain in the physical body. This diversion is called a defense mechanism.

Painful emotional issues exist forever in the subconscious mind. The conscious mind is not aware of these issues. These repressed thoughts and feelings are always seeking to gain consciousness. The subconscious mind realizes the power of these painful emotions. It will do anything possible to prevent these thoughts from entering into the conscious mind. Physical pain is a common psychological defense mechanism, since it is extremely effective at getting and holding the attention of the conscious mind.

The Need for Psychotherapy for Back Pain

Most psychological back pain can be cured without psychotherapy.
Dr. John Sarno, an expert in Mind/Body medicine, estimates that up to 95% of psychosomatic back pain can be cured by the patient alone. The remaining 5% might need some professional psychological help to overcome their critical repressed emotional issues.

Psychotherapists

Psychotherapists may come from various backgrounds. Most are licensed doctors of psychology, while others are psychiatrists. Psychotherapists can also be people with advanced degrees in social work or nursing. Licensed professional counselors (LPC) often practice psychotherapy as well. People working in the psychiatric field must have advanced degrees in their field (usually doctorate), and be licensed.

Psychotherapy for Back Pain Stigma

Our society is generally very sympathetic to people with physical problems and diseases. We feel bad for anyone who has an illness or disability. If we need to go to the doctor for pain, our employers understand. If we are working slow due to a back injury, that is acceptable. However, if we have even a slight mental or emotional problem affecting our lives, society is much less sympathetic. Try telling your boss that you want some time off because you feel stressed out and see what happens. Modern society still views emotional issues as an unacceptable stigma. Psychological conditions are viewed as a sign of weakness and defective development.

The subconscious mind is well aware of this widely held view. This is one of the contributing reasons for physical pain being a common expression of emotional distress. The pain not only captures the attention of the sufferer, but also gives the condition credibility by gaining the attention of care givers and health practitioners.

* Psychological Back Pain Stigma

Reasons for Psychotherapy for Back Pain

Most psychosomatic back pain is the result of completely normal emotional occurrences in our lives. In these cases, the subconscious mind is clearly overestimating the power of these repressed emotions to cause our conscious minds real harm. Sometimes, the psychological issues run very deep. These issues might go back to highly traumatic experiences in one�s childhood. Common deeply repressed issues are often the result of severe physical, emotional, and especially sexual abuse. The emotional scars left by these occurrences are often too great for a person to overcome without professional help.

Psychotherapy for Back Pain Advice

Psychotherapy is nothing to be ashamed of. Anyone who has resolved their problems using psychotherapy is usually enriched by the experience. Many people claim that psychotherapy opens up a new chapter in their lives. It creates an opportunity to overcome bad habits and forgive themselves for bad choices or circumstances. Personally, I think that everyone could use to be more in touch with their true emotional selves�

Psychotherapy for back pain can be very effective at ending chronic back pain often caused by severe repressed emotional issues. It is crucial that the therapist be trained in recognizing the signs of psychosomatic pain. If the therapist does not have training in MIND/BODY disorders, then it unlikely that they will help the patient associate the physical pain with the emotional cause.

If you suspect that you are suffering from psychological back pain, try knowledge therapy. Most psychological back pain will respond well to this treatment and slowly disappear. If you do not get a positive result, then think about hiring a psychological professional to help you through the process. Psychotherapy can be a powerful tool in the fight against psychosomatic back pain.
Psychotherapy for Back Pain to Lower Back Pain Home 7/30/06 Revised 7/17/08