Behavior Therapy

This technique teaches patients to daydream or fantasize in an active way, to mentally and emotionally escape from the pain, or picture a favorable outcome of an upcoming activity or medical procedure.

This is not the hypnosis you have seen on television. True hypnosis should only be performed by a trained professional (and not all psychologists are trained). Hypnosis cannot and will not cause you to do whatever someone tells you, but it will place you in a relaxed state of mind, in which the professional can subtly begin to change your thoughts and beliefs about certain things (for instance, maybe the pain feels annoying, but it does not have to feel excruciating). There is research to show that hypnosis can even replace pain medications and anesthetics in some cases. (Dr. Giardina is not certified to provide hypnosis at this time, but he values hypnosis as a supplemental treatment for chronic pain.)

Using visual and auditory feedback (usually a beeping sound or an image on a computer screen), this technique teaches patients to have greater control over their bodies. Patients can be taught to change their breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, stress levels, muscle tension and more - and having control over these things can remind you that the pain is not totally out of your hands, and that you have the power to alter certain things that affect your pain (like muscle tension perhaps). While Dr. Giardina does not currently own or employ the technological or computer-based tools of biofeedback, he can show patients how to use simple household materials for low-cost, portable methods of strengthening the conscious body-mind connection

This can be done a variety of ways, and it is important to find one that is personal to the patient. Simply put, if you are doing something other than focusing on pain, you are less focused on the pain. Whether it is watching television, volunteering at a hospital, watching your children play, praying, or any other activity - one of the worst things pain patients can do is to sit around and do nothing but be in pain.

As noted above, light exercise with physician approval can actually reduce pain in many cases (think about Physical Therapy here, or stretching before a sporting event to prevent injury). However, psychological issues become involved when patients are either afraid of moving their painful body parts, or take this too far and end up re-injuring themselves.

This is a skill taught by a professional but practiced at home or whenever needed; it involves tensing, and then relaxing, each muscle group, which results in overall body relaxation and a pleasant, peaceful sensation. (Alternatively, this technique can be done without first tensing the muscles, in cases where an injury would be worsened by tensing a muscle group.)

Now available for purchase: Custom CDs featuring Dr. Giardina, taking you step-by-step through techniques of diaphragmatic deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and guided imagery. Great for anyone wanting to learn stress management and relaxation skills. A special section is included for pain patients as well. Only $20. Not available online - sold in office only - stop in to purchase.

Often done in conjunction with Progressive Muscle Relaxation, this breathing technique teaches patients how to breath more deeply, and with more conscious effort than you normally would. If done correctly, this technique alters certain chemicals in the brain, reduces overall stress and tension, and positively affects your mood (and, thus, reduces your pain a bit). Like Biofeedback, this teaches patients that our bodies and minds are connected, and that you still have control over one or the other.

Now available for purchase: Custom CDs featuring Dr. Giardina, taking you step-by-step through techniques of diaphragmatic deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and guided imagery. Great for anyone wanting to learn stress management and relaxation skills. A special section is included for pain patients as well. Only $20. Not available online - sold in office only - stop in to purchase.

What follows are links with Dr. Giardina guiding you through exercises in rhythmic, diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and imagery. These techniques somewhat mirror self-hypnosis, but be clear, this is not hypnosis. Some tips for success:
>Settle into a room without other people or distractions
>Adjust the volume (or use headphones) before settling in
>Exercises are not intended to be used all at once or in sequence – pick the one that best suits your needs for that day
>Do not use while driving or engaged in other activities (sedation and fatigue may occur)
>Be careful to avoid any muscle tensing exercises in areas of the body where pain or injury may be worsened by such tension (the second button/exercise is meant for chronic pain patients)
>If you are prone to breathing-related difficulties or conditions, be cautious when engaging in the deep breathing exercises as hyperventilation, light-headedness, panic attacks and the like may occur in some patients