Both physical and emotional pain are a part of life. How we respond to and manage pain can affect our quality of life, our sense of self, and our roles and relationships with others. The Mayo Clinic, in conjunction with The Great Courses, offers a twelve, thirty minute lecture series that addresses this.  In this lecture series, Barbara K. Bruce, Ph.D., L.P, an Associate Professor of Psychology and the Clinical Director of the Fibromyalgia Treatment Program and the Chronic Abdominal Pain Program at Mayo Clinic discusses the following topics related to chronic pain:

Why pain matters

What is pain?

Common causes of chronic pain

Medication for chronic pain: why and why not

How exercise helps with chronic pain

Manage your stress to manage your pain

Social support for pain management

How to sleep when you have pain

The vicious cycle of pain and mood

Building a pain management team

Creating a pain management plan

Active sessions: exercise and relaxation

 

Offered for purchase by The Great Courses, this lecture series can also be rented from various libraries.

Disclaimer: This blog is not designed to diagnose, treat, or prevent illnesses or trauma, and Dr. Emick is not responsible for your use of this educational material or its consequences. Furthermore, reading this blog does not create a doctor-patient relationship. The information contained within this blog is not intended to dictate what constitutes reasonable, appropriate, or best care for any given physical or behavioral health issue, nor does it take into account the unique circumstances that define the health issues of the reader. If you have questions about the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a condition or illness, you should consult your personal health care professional. As always, consult with your personal health care professional before beginning or changing any fitness or nutrition program to make sure that it is appropriate for your needs. Dr. Emick reserves the right to modify her positions on a subject based upon new research or data as it presents.