title: [Psychological therapy as part of an interdisciplinary treatment of chronic back pain].
abstract: Providing the patient with a pain model based on the biopsychosocial approach is one of the most important issues in psychological intervention. Illness behaviour is influenced by pain-eliciting and pain-aggravating thoughts. Identification and modification of these thoughts is essential and aims to change cognitive evaluations, emotional processing, and pain-referred behaviour. Improved self-monitoring concerning maladaptive thoughts, feelings, and behaviour enables functional coping strategies (e.g. attention diversion and learning to enjoy things) and enhances self-efficacy expectancies. Of special importance is the establishment of an appropriate balance between stress and recreation. Intervention options include teaching relaxation techniques, problem-solving strategies, and specific skills as well as applying appropriate elements of cognitive therapy. The development of alternative cognitive and action-based strategies improves the patient's ability to cope with internal and external stressors. All of the psychological elements are carried out in a group setting. Additionally, individual therapy is offered to treat comorbidities or to support reintegration into the patient's job.
authors.affiliation: Rückenzentrum am Markgrafenpark, Markgrafenstrasse 19, 10967, Berlin, Deutschland. berlin@ruecken-zentrum.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heinrich
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Monstadt
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Michel
mesh_terms: D001416:Back Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011613:Psychotherapy