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FREE Webinar on Alternatives to Opioids for Pain Treatment

2018-12-15T15:20:45-07:00May 8th, 2017|

Please join me and the President of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, Dr. Steve Stanos, on May 9, 2017, from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM CST, for a lively discussion on reducing opioid use in the treatment of chronic pain. Discussion topics include: The psychology of pain and its role in determining a path to treatment Leading non-opioid treatment modalities to address chronic pain and the latest research on pain catastrophizing The need to support [...]

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“Scientific American” Feature on Treating Pain without Pills

2019-03-23T11:50:43-07:00April 22nd, 2017|

The opioid crisis is forcing doctors to take different approaches to treating pain. In some cases, patients who have been prescribed opioids for years or decades are being abandoned or forced to quickly taper off opioids -- two poor approaches. Other patients are being steered in new directions that can improve pain and function with lower risks. I was honored to be featured in this Scientific American story (May 2017, Author: Stephani Sutherland, Ph.D.) in which the [...]

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Using Psychology to Help People Have Less Pain After Surgery

2019-03-21T15:46:06-07:00December 20th, 2016|

At the Stanford Systems Neuroscience and Pain Lab, one of our active research studies is focused on how to help prepare people who are heading to surgery. We are equipping them with the information and skills they can use to reduce their own distress and discomfort after surgery. Ideally, this helps people need less pain medication. The program is called "My Surgical Success," and we are testing in women undergoing surgery for breast cancer at Stanford [...]

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Pain Psychology Resources Available to You Right Now

2018-12-15T11:13:18-07:00September 11th, 2016|

Optimize your mind-body connection with information and resources that empower you to reduce pain and its impact on your brain and body. Understanding Pain in less than 5 minutes, and what to do about it! (5:00) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_3phB93rvI Learn out Pain Psychology (12:47) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEPCjJfhs_8 What Is Pain Catastrophizing? (6:53) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnNAF4EPFzc Free Online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) 8-week course. Learn more here. Free Mindfulness App and Guided Meditations. Download here. Free Mobile Relaxation App:  Breathe2Relax (from the Department of Defense) Download here.

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The Great Need for Pain Education in Psychology and Mental Health Training

2018-12-15T11:01:30-07:00August 10th, 2016|

Clinical Psychiatry Advisor features Beth Darnall and the work of the entire Pain Psychology Task Force of the American Academy of Pain Medicine in the August 2016 article "The Importance of Pain Psychology Curricula in Training and Education." (Author: Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC). Read about the national needs assessment that was conducted in almost 2,000 individuals across 6 key stakeholder groups in the U.S., and published in Pain Medicine earlier this year. Learn why a major solution to the pain treatment [...]

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“The Opioid-Free Pain Relief Kit” – FREE Copy, Enter to Win!

2018-12-15T15:18:09-07:00July 27th, 2016|

My inspiration for writing this second book was the patients I treat -- and the millions of other people living with pain who are seeking relief. I was also inspired by the legions of healthcare providers who are desperately looking for accessible, low-cost, non-opioid solutions to offer their patients. The Opioid-Free Pain Relief Kit is an easy-to-read resource that’s chock full of information that patients can put to use immediately. Written at the 8th grade level, it [...]

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“Less Pain, Fewer Pills” on The Healing Pain Podcast

2018-12-15T10:57:51-07:00July 19th, 2016|

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CPUUkYlcy8 I was excited when Dr. Joe Tatta invited me to be on "The Healing Pain Podcast" about psychology and its role in pain management, and symptom and medication reduction. We covered a lot of ground in our hour-long video interview, including what's needed to help patients suffer less and gain control over their experience. I talked about my new book, The Opioid-Free Pain Relief Kit ©2016 and learned that Dr. Tatta has a book of his [...]

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Our JAMA Internal Medicine Study of Opioid Risks After Surgery Published Today

2018-12-15T10:55:20-07:00July 11th, 2016|

Stanford Medicine News Center covers new research led by Dr. Eric Sun from the Stanford Division of Pain Medicine. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, describes the incidence of and risk factors for chronic opioid use among opioid-naïve patients in the postoperative period. The study highlights which patients may be particularly vulnerable. Read the JAMA story here. The Stanford Medicine News Story (author: Tracie White) includes a discussion about how to treat pain differently to minimize risks. I [...]

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An International Furor Over Opioids and Long-term Solutions for Pain

2019-03-23T12:06:59-07:00June 11th, 2016|

Opioid limits alone are not good pain care policy. In the international furor over opioid overprescribing and overdose deaths, we must extend beyond the current zero-sum conversation that pits overdose deaths vs. patients who need access to pain care. This Huffington Post explores what's needed so everyone wins. Read the post

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Stanford Back Pain Education Day 2016! FREE!

2019-03-23T12:06:45-07:00May 25th, 2016|

Please join us for the 2016 Stanford Back Pain Education Day taking place on September 11, 2016, at Cemex Auditorium on Stanford University campus. If you have back pain, please join us for an exciting day filled with lectures from Stanford pain experts and information on community resources, research opportunities, and state-of-the-art back pain treatments! In addition to great information and resources, all attendees receive complimentary lunch, goody bags, and other giveaways! Registration is now full. Please join [...]

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