"If you treat chronic pain, or are someone living with it, remember this: Changing the brain can change pain. Addressing emotional health directly impacts physical health, because brain and body are always connected. Pain psychologists can serve as pain coaches – it doesn't mean you're crazy, and it's not 'all in your head' (it's in your brain!). Try biobehavioral interventions like CBT, biofeedback, and mindfulness, and demand that your insurance company reimburse these treatments. If you're a health care provider, spread the word about biopsychosocial pain management. Teach patients how pain works, connect brain with body, and offer hope. Knowledge is power. Let's empower our patients – and each other – to find integrative solutions that work."

Rachel Zoffness is a pain psychologist.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "What you don't know about pain will hurt you." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/11/what-you-dont-know-about-pain-will-hurt-you.html)