Psychological Pain Assessment

The pain management specialists at Commonwealth Pain & Spine understand there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to treating chronic pain. To truly understand the many factors that influence your pain, the board-certified physicians offer psychological assessments at their Kentucky and Indiana offices. Using your assessment results, the medical team can create a comprehensive treatment plan to address all issues contributing to life-altering, chronic pain. Find out more about the benefits of psychological assessments by calling the office nearest you today. Commonwealth’s Kentucky offices are in St. Matthews, Elizabethtown, Lexington, Crestview Hills, Owensboro, and London. Indiana offices are in Evansville, Vincennes, New Albany, Carrollton, and Jasper. They also serve patients from Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio.

Why Would I Need a Psychological Assessment for Pain?

If you’re struggling with chronic pain, many factors can influence which treatment is best to provide you with effective pain relief. The staff at Commonwealth Pain & Spine offers comprehensive psychological assessments to learn more about what underlying issues might be contributing to your pain.

Because chronic pain is a very complex issue, you might need a psychological assessment to identify issues like:

• Anger
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Sadness

By addressing these issues, your Commonwealth Pain & Spine physician can create a more effective treatment plan that not only addressing your pain but also the psychological factors that influence it.

What’s Involved in a Psychological Assessment for Pain?

During your psychological assessment, your Commonwealth Pain & Spine physician will perform assessment tests to identify potential psychological risks that could be influencing your chronic pain. These risk factors include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Suicidal thoughts
• Negative behaviors
• Potential for addiction
• Cognitive dysfunction

In addition to psychological and mental health factors, your Commonwealth Pain & Spine specialist reviews your health history, family history, and existing medical conditions that could be contributing to your pain.

How Does a Psychological Assessment Help in the Treatment of Chronic Pain?

Once your Commonwealth Pain & Spine doctor identifies issues that are influencing your chronic pain, they can address them effectively as part of your treatment.

In some cases, you might need a referral to a psychologist to address underlying mental and psychological issues. You might also benefit from behavioral therapy that can help you learn ways to cope with your existing pain and reduce its severity.

Methods of coping with chronic pain can involve:

• Changing your eating habits
• Engaging in daily exercise
• Understanding your physical limitations
• Learning stress-reduction techniques

When psychological and behavioral therapies are part of your treatment of chronic pain, your Commonwealth Pain & Spine specialist can help you achieve better control of your pain in both the short and long term.

If chronic pain is limiting what you can do in life, consider the benefits of a psychological assessment. Call the team at Commonwealth Pain & Spine for an appointment today.