Can Pain Reprocessing Therapy Offer Migraine Relief?
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Key Questions
- What experiences with pain have contributed to the development of pain reprocessing therapy (PRT)?
- How does the brain-body conversation about pain work, and how can it malfunction?
- Is all pain real?
- How is chronic pain different from acute (short-term) pain?
- What is neuroplastic pain, and how does it relate to chronic pain?
- What is the pain-fear cycle?
- What other emotions, besides fear, might contribute to the chronic pain cycle?
- What is a conditioned response, and how does it relate to pain?
- What are the goals of pain reprocessing therapy?
- What was the Boulder Back Pain study, and what did it reveal?
- What is somatic tracking, how does it work, and when should it be used?
- What is safety reappraisal, and how does it help with chronic pain?
- Why do some people with migraine catastrophize their condition?
- Is belief in PRT necessary for it to be effective?
- What are corrective experiences, and how do they differ from setbacks?
- What are avoidance behaviors, and how do they reinforce chronic pain?
- How should PRT be applied during periods of high pain?
- What is the best approach to confronting pain using PRT?
- Does PRT affect the chemical changes in the brain that accompany a migraine attack?
- What is the hope-disappointment cycle, and how does it impact chronic pain recovery?
- Who should not try PRT therapy?
- Is it necessary to work with a practitioner to learn PRT, or can it be self-taught?
Interview Notes
- Pain Psychology Center
- Healing Track
- Book: The Way Out: A Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven Approach to Healing Chronic Pain
- Study: “Effect of Pain Reprocessing Therapy vs Placebo and Usual Care for Patients With Chronic Back Pain” (Boulder Back Pain Study)
- Podcast: Like Mind, Like Body
- Instagram: @alantgordon
Treatments Mentioned
- Pain reprocessing therapy (PRT)
Please note: The Migraine World Summit’s aim is to bring you a variety of perspectives and expertise, independent of bias or judgment. Alternative theories presented in this video have not been medically reviewed. Views expressed in this interview do not necessarily represent the views of the Migraine World Summit. Please always consult your health care professional and do your own research before making changes to your treatment plan.
Alan Gordon, LCSW
Founder & Director
Pain Psychology Center
Alan Gordon, LCSW, is the founder and director of the Pain Psychology Center in Los Angeles, where he oversees a team of 40 therapists. Alan developed pain reprocessing therapy (PRT), a cutting-edge protocol for treating chronic pain.
He recently completed a groundbreaking neuroimaging study on the efficacy of PRT in conjunction with the University of Colorado Boulder. His work has been featured in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Times of London, and the Today show. He was featured in the film Pain Brain and is the author of The Way Out: A Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven Approach to Healing Chronic Pain. Alan has presented on the topic of pain treatment at conferences and trainings throughout the country.
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