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The Psychobiology Of Chronic Pain

The Psychobiology Of Chronic Pain

What is psychobiology? It is when the mind, being mentally what we think and how we feel, then affects the body. This is also known as psychosomatic.

The psychobiology of chronic pain is still being studied, but scientists are starting to understand how psychology and biology interact to create chronic pain.

This blog post will explore what psychobiology is, how it happens, and how it can be treated. We will also discuss the Psychobiology Of Chronic Pain and how psychology and biology interact in this condition.

What is Psychobiology?

Psychobiology is the study of how psychology and biology interact, basically how your mind and body work together to create biological systems and the behaviors that come with them.

Topics covered when studying psychobiology include neuroscience, genetics, and pharmacology.

A lot of research looks at what we think as common everyday issues but wants to understand why it affects our brains.

When you go into a school exam, why does stress become such a problem? Is it because of the pressure of having to do well in an important test, or is there some biological response that makes us feel overwhelmed?

When we study psychobiology, we look at all of these questions and more. This can include physical factors like how certain medicines affect our brain or psychological factors like how our emotions can impact our physical health.

What is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is defined as any pain that lasts for more than 12 weeks. It can be caused by several things, including arthritis, cancer, or an injury.

Chronic pain can make it difficult to do everyday activities like walking or sitting. It can also lead to feelings of depression and anxiety.

According to a recent study, it was estimated that over 50 million U.S. adults (or 20% of the entire U.S. adult population) suffer from chronic pain most days of the week or every day.

The most common areas for chronic pain to show up in adults include:

  • Knees
  • Back
  • Hip
  • Foot

Many people who suffer from chronic pain will look into multiple ways to relieve it.  This can include things like surgery, physical therapy, or medication. However, chronic pain can be challenging to manage, and some people find that they are stuck in a never-ending cycle of pain and relief.

The Psychobiology Of Chronic Pain

There is still a lot of research that needs to be done regarding the psychobiology of chronic pain. However, scientists are starting to understand how psychology and biology interact in this condition.

There are a few different ways that psychology and biology can interact in chronic pain.

One way is through the experience of pain itself. When someone experiences chronic pain, their brain will start to change. This can include things like changing how pain signals are processed or increasing the amount of pain that is felt.

Another way that psychology and biology can interact in chronic pain is through the emotions that come with it. People who suffer from chronic pain often experience a lot of negative emotions, like sadness, anger, and frustration. 

These emotions can start to impact the body, causing things like increased stress levels or changes in the immune system.

Finally, psychology and biology can interact in chronic pain through treatments. When someone is treated for chronic pain, their psychology and biology will both be taken into account. 

This means that treatments will be tailored to fit the person’s individual needs.

Working with a psychologist to understand your pain and what effects can come both physically and mentally is essential in managing chronic pain.

Psychological Treatments for Chronic Pain

Many different psychological treatments can be used to help manage chronic pain.

One popular treatment is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a type of therapy that focuses on how our thoughts and beliefs can affect our emotions and behaviors. 

When someone is experiencing chronic pain, CBT can help them understand how their thoughts impact their pain. This can then help them to change the way they think about their pain, which can lead to a decrease in symptoms.

Another popular treatment is acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). ACT is a type of therapy that helps people accept what is happening in their lives, including any pain they may be experiencing. This can then help them focus on what they still want to do, despite their pain.

Both CBT and ACT are effective in treating chronic pain. However, it is crucial to work with a psychologist who has experience working with people who suffer from chronic pain. This will ensure that you get the most out of your treatment.

Managing chronic pain can be a difficult task. However, by understanding the psychobiology of chronic pain and working with a psychologist, you can start to manage your pain more effectively.

At Advanced Wellness and Pain, We Take Your Condition Seriously

The Advanced Wellness and Pain team doesn’t just prescribe you another set of pills. We take the time to really understand your condition and needs.

Our mission is to provide compassionate care by leveraging physical and emotional support. We achieve this through psychedelic medicine and human-to-human interaction with our incredible team members, creating positive life-changing experiences.

If you or a loved one is experiencing chronic pain from any source, don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule a free consultation. This allows you to get to know us a bit better and have any questions or concerns you may have answered by our team.

You don’t have to suffer from chronic pain in silence. We’re here to help.

[Learn More About Advanced Wellness and Pain]

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James T. Leathem, DO

Dr. James Leathem is a board-certified anesthesiologist and a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists. He was born and raised in Connecticut and graduated from Florida Southern College with a bachelor of science in marketing management with minors in sociology and communications. He obtained his medical degree from Midwestern University’s Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency in anesthesiology at Michigan State University and its affiliated McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital.

In 2015, after residency, Dr. Leathem returned to Arizona to practice anesthesiology. He joined Red Mountain Anesthesiologists and worked primarily at Banner Baywood Medical Center in Mesa, performing 100% of his own cases. He was made partner in the group after demonstrating 3 years of anesthesia excellence and administering over 4,000 anesthetics. In 2019, a corporate change occurred and an opportunity presented itself in which he was able to transition out of the hospital to surgery center and clinic-based anesthesia.

Dr. Leathem realizes that the only constant in life is change. In 2020, amidst the global pandemic, his career took a different direction. This change led him to collaborate with Dr. Wong and Dr. Sharma and they founded Advanced Wellness and Pain (AWAP). Their mission is to provide a variety of state-of-the-art procedural services that improve patients’ quality of life and overall physical and mental well-being.

Dr. Leathem believes that we are all a work in progress and that each day, one should strive to make positive changes in their life. He is here to help empower each patient on their journey to be their best self and live their best life. When you are being cared for by Dr. Leathem, you can be assured that he will give you his undivided attention and time.

Gregory Wong, MD

Dr. Wong is a Board-Certified Anesthesiologist and a member of both the American Society of Anesthesiology and the Arizona Society of Anesthesiology. He did his undergraduate training at the University of California at Davis, Davis, California; doctorate training at The University of Health Sciences of the Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, IL; and his post-doctoral training at the Integrated Program at the University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ. He has spent his whole 24-year career practicing in Arizona.

Dr. Wong grew up in the Bay Area of California. He is married and is raising three daughters. At the early age of 12 years old, he knew he wanted to become a physician. His love of the human spirit, intrigue of human physiology, and compassion for human suffering led him to the path of anesthesiology and pain medicine.

Today, Dr. Wong realizes patients need a holistic biophysical-mental-spiritual care. This philosophy has brought him to the studies of regenerative medicine and infusion therapies. He has firsthandily witnessed the overwhelming success of these therapies for treating chronic pain and depression and the return of patients of “life-functionality.”

“There has never been a time more important than now to advocate for our patients in these difficult times. We owe it to our patients to offer these state-of-the-art treatment modalities that weren’t available before.”

Deepak Sharma, MD, MBA

Dr. Sharma is a Board Certified Anesthesiologist and a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists. He completed three degrees at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA: a Bachelor in Finance, a Master in Business Administration, and a Doctor of Medicine. He went on to complete residency at the Mount Sinai Morningside-West Hospital System in New York, NY and post-graduate fellowship at Stanford Medical Center in Palo Alto, CA.

Dr. Sharma is committed to treating his patients as a whole with a comprehensive biophysical-mental-spiritual approach. He is a lifelong learner and is constantly researching cutting-edge therapies backed by scientific studies. He has taken a particular interest in regenerative and infusion therapies after witnessing firsthand their significant benefits on those suffering from chronic pain and depression. In his free time, Dr. Sharma enjoys spending time with his family and friends, hiking, traveling, reading, and meditation.

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