Chronic pain and mental health issues are deeply connected, often fueling a cycle that is hard to break. Mental health providers typically focus on emotional well-being, but when emotional distress is linked to chronic pain, addressing both physical and mental health becomes crucial for improving patient outcomes.

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The Pain-Mental Health Cycle

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Chronic pain not only affects the body but also has a profound impact on brain function, often worsening conditions like anxiety and depression. In turn, mental health issues can heighten pain perception, creating a vicious cycle. Chronic pain leads to emotional distress, which intensifies pain, trapping patients in a feedback loop of discomfort and mental strain.

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Traditional Mental Health Treatment Isn’t Enough

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While therapy and medications are vital for mental health, they often don’t address the physical or “biomedical” roots of chronic pain. By integrating pain medicine, physical therapy, and behavioral health into treatment plans, you can help patients break the cycle and improve their quality of life.

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Numerous companies are emerging that specialize in pain psychology, often centering on “Pain Reprocessing Therapy” (PRT), a relatively recent therapeutic approach. While PRT shows promise, particularly for individuals with “nociplastic pain” (also known as “primary” or “neuroplastic” pain), it may not be sufficient on its own for most people experiencing chronic pain. Many patients benefit from a more comprehensive treatment plan, as chronic pain frequently involves overlapping pain types. For these patients, a multidisciplinary approach addressing both the psychological and physical components of pain may be essential for effective, sustainable recovery.

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How Comprehensive Pain Services Enhance Mental Health Treatment

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• Pain Medicine: Appropriate diagnosis is paramount. Medications can be effective in reducing physical discomfort, allowing patients to engage more fully in therapy and emotional healing.
• Physical Therapy: Home exercise programs – specifically designed for chronic pain – boost mobility, strength, and independence, increasing activities, improving mood and reducing anxiety.
• Coaching (separate from licensed behavioral health services): Individual and group coaching provide practical pain management strategies, increase accountability and program adherence, and enhance patients’ resilience and emotional coping skills.

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Benefits of an Interdisciplinary Approach

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Patients who receive care from both mental health and pain specialists report better outcomes—lower pain levels, improved mood, and enhanced daily functioning. Feel free to reach out to Override Health to explore our outcomes of our interdisciplinary care model. 

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And for providers, referring patients for pain services reduces the strain of managing complex cases and fosters more effective collaboration across disciplines. Refer a patient to Override through Override's secure referral form or fax a referral to 866-301-4910.

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When to Refer Patients

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Consider a referral when:

• Pain is a main driver of mental health symptoms.
• Traditional therapy isn’t enough to achieve pain breakthroughs.
• Pain significantly limits the patient’s daily functioning or emotional progress.

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The Path to Better Patient Care

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Mental health and chronic pain are interconnected, and treating them together ensures better outcomes. By referring patients to comprehensive pain services, you can help them manage their pain and achieve emotional well-being. Addressing both physical and mental health empowers patients to live more fully and simultaneously reduces the strain on mental health providers.