Massage Therapy Journal Fall 2025

Fall 2025 • 31

2. Clients who are depressed or have a history of depression may have more difficulty dealing with pain. Consider making a brief assessment of mood symptoms a part of routine screening and intake procedures for pain conditions, but be very mindful of your own scope of practice. 3. Persistent pain problems can lead to hypervigilance and avoidance, but simple distraction techniques are not enough to counter these behaviors. Avoid inadvertent messages that escape or avoidance from pain is necessary to preserve function . 4. Individuals hold very different attitudes and beliefs about the origins of pain, the seriousness of pain and how to react to pain , meaning assessment and treatment planning should take into account individual differences in pain beliefs and attitudes . 5. Personal expectations about the course of pain recovery and treatment benefits are associated with pain outcomes. Providing realistic expectations (positive, but frank and not overly reassuring) is important. 6. Catastrophic thinking about pain is an important marker for the development of long-term pain problems, as well as for poor treatment outcome. Listen for expressions of catastrophic thoughts and offer less-exaggerated beliefs as an alternative. A brief assessment might be part of routine intake procedures. 7. Personal acceptance and commitment to self-manage pain problems are associated with better pain outcomes. Over-attention to biomedical explanations

may reinforce futile searches for a cure and delay pain self management. 8. Psychosocial aspects of the workplace may represent barriers for returning to work while pain problems linger. Return-to-work planning should include attention to aspects of organizational support, job stress and workplace communication. References 1. Peacock S, Patel S. “Cultural influences on pain.” Rev Pain . 2008 Mar;1(2):6-9. 2. Rogger R, Bello C, Romero CS, Urman RD, Luedi MM, Filipovic MG. “Cultural framing and the impact on acute pain and pain services.” Curr Pain Headache Rep . 2023 Sep;27(9):429-436. 3. https://www.iasp-pain.org/publications/iasp-news/iasp announces-revised-definition-of-pain/

Learn . . .

Pain Headaches Fibromyalgia

John F. Barnes, PT International lecturer, author, and authority on Myofascial Release.

Individuals hold very different attitudes and beliefs about the origins of pain, the seriousness of pain and how to react to pain.

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