Use of cognitive therapy + hypnosis for chronic pain in the SCI population? Find out on April 6

Dr. Charles Bombardier

On Tues., April 6th at 5 p.m. PST, NorCal SCI is pleased to host Dr. Charles Bombardier, a clinical psychologist and professor and head of the Rehabilitation Psychology Division in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He will address chronic pain in those with spinal cord injuries and how cognitive therapy plus hypnosis can be a potential non-medicinal solution to one of the most common and concerning aspects of spinal cord injury (SCI). He will address a study that examined the combined effects of cognitive therapy plus hypnosis on chronic pain in people with SCI and share the results of the study as well as the limitations and implications for future research will be described. You may register for this exclusive presentation HERE.

Medical treatments for chronic SCI pain are helpful but often not curative. People with SCI are interested in non-pharmacological treatments, but there is limited evidence that these approaches help. Non-pharmacological treatments are based on a biopsychosocial model of pain. The biopsychosocial model breaks pain down into affective, cognitive and sensory aspects. Specific brain structures underly these different aspects. One cognitive aspect of pain is called catastrophizing which magnifies pain and is defined as having high levels of fearful, helpless thinking about pain. Cognitive therapy is one approach to reducing pain catastrophizing and pain. There is evidence that hypnosis can enhance the effects of cognitive therapy.

This free virtual presentation is funded through a grant by the Reeve Foundation. Once you register, you will immediately receive a confirmation e-mail from us which you should keep for access information to the virtual event.

Dr. Bombardier specializes in the rehabilitation of persons with traumatic SCI as well as those with TBI and MS. His research focus has been on physical activity, depression, motivational interviewing, adjustment to illness and disability, and preventing alcohol problems in persons with SCI and TBI.