Behavioral Medicine Approaches to Pain

Pain is a complex, idiosyncratic experience. When pain is the primary complaint for seeking medical attention, understanding of multiple factors is essential in guiding successful treatment. Behavioral medicine, a branch of psychology, has been an integral part of interdisciplinary/multidisciplinay care of pain patients. In this article, we provide an overview of behavioral medicine approaches to pain, including assessment and commonly used therapeutic methods. Particular attention is given to cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational enhancement therapy.