In this episode of "It's Not In Your Head," Dan and Justine dive into the nuanced aspects of how to more effectively communicate about pain with patients, focusing on the significance of specific language and its impact on patient outcomes. They caution against phrases that suggest pain is purely psychological and inadvertently blame and shame the patient, emphasizing pain is a complex interplay of physiological and psychological factors. They stress the importance of clinicians avoiding language that can be perceived as dismissive or condescending, instead advocating for a collaborative, empathetic approach.

The episode highlights the need for patients and clinicians to work together in identifying and addressing the various drivers and amplifiers of pain, including physical injuries, sensitization, and mood disorders. Importantly, they provide crisis resources for those experiencing mental health challenges associated with chronic pain, encouraging listeners to seek help when needed. Through their discussion, Dan and Justine underscore the necessity of understanding and treating chronic pain with empathy, compassion, and a focus on empowering patients in their pain management journey.

Resources:

www.iniyh.com/newsletter

Timestamps:

00:00 Official Intro

00:17 Intro

04:27 Patient Example - Suicidal thoughts

07:33 What do we do?

08:50 Mosley & Butler's Pain Neuroscience

10:11 Asher Perspective

10:57 Pain Neuroscience Messages - Good Side

13:47 The Downside

17:11 Blue Sky Effect

18:40 Pain Scales and Shifting Pain

24:26 Words That Are Misinterpreted

28:23 How to Get Around it?

31:08 4 Part Series, Step 1 - Find & Fix

32:29 Step 2 - Filtering

33:47 Step 3 - Turn Down the Amplifiers

36:14 Step 4 - Rewire

38:25 Summarize It

40:32 From The Patient Side

44:01 Disclaimer