Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is pain that has existed for beyond 6 months, or beyond the expected period of healing. Our goal when treating chronic pain is to provide education related to the pain, change the pain experience, and improve overall quality of life. We accomplish this through a combination of positive communication styles, patient education, exercise therapy, manual therapy and modalities.

We utilize the following tools to supplement a traditional physical therapy treatment model and create a holistic, personalized approach to chronic pain treatment & management.
 

Pain Neuroscience Education

Pain Neuroscience Education is an educational approach in which the therapist describes the neuropsychology of chronic pain. This is the way our nervous system and mental and emotional factors affect our pain experience. Taking this approach helps change the perception of pain, and is often used in combination with other physical therapy activities. 
 

Cognitive Functional Therapy (CFT)

CFT focuses on a patient’s beliefs, fears, and associated behaviors related to chronic pain, especially low back pain. CFT uses functional tasks to change the patient’s mindset and educate them about pain mechanisms.
 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • ACT is a psychological intervention that combines acceptance & mindfulness strategies with commitment & behavior change strategies, working to align patient behaviors with their values.

  • Patients will learn to make healthy contact with thoughts, feelings, memories, and physical sensations that have been feared and avoided. They will learn to accept past events, gain clarity about personal values, and commit to needed behavior change. 

Chronic pain treatment & management, and Pain Neuroscience Education is offered at all Movement for Life Physical Therapy locations. Cognitive Functional Therapy & Acceptance and Commitment Therapy are currently only practiced at our North Asheville clinic with Taylor Leiby, PT, DPT, OCS and North Asheville clinic director. Taylor has completed continuing education courses on motivational interviewing, Pain Neuroscience Education, Cognitive Functional Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.