Building Resilience and Positive Emotions in Chronic Pain Management

On this week's episode of the Pain Science Education Podcast, we explore the concept of pain resilience with our expert guest Dr. Drew Sturgeon. Dr Sturgeorn is a fellowship-trained licensed clinical psychologist and clinical assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Medicine Department of Anesthesiology. Dr. Sturgeon shares his journey into pain resilience, influenced by his mentor Dr. Alex Zoutra's work on adult resilience and adaptation in chronic pain. We discuss the growing interest in pain resilience and its distinction from pain vulnerability. Dr. Sturgeon emphasizes that resilience should be viewed as a process rather than a trait, highlighting the importance of sustainability, recovery, and growth in the face of chronic pain. We explore the idea that resilience involves actively pursuing meaningful goals despite pain, rather than merely tolerating it. Dr. Sturgeon explains how positive emotions, acceptance, and cognitive-behavioral strategies can enhance resilience by helping individuals reframe their pain experience and maintain functionality.

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