Episode 5: All About Pain Catastrophizing

In this episode hosts Monika and Sammy examine pain catastrophizing through the lens of a patient, Sarah, who is experiencing vaginismus. Sammy shares how she came to realize that Sarah presented with significant catastrophizing, how this affected the plan of care, and what changes she made in her PT practice as a result. Monika and Sammy define catastrophizing, how it may show up in patients, and share practical tips for working with similar patients who exhibit moderate/high catastrophizing.  

Highlights from our conversation in Episode X

• Case introduction: Sarah & vaginismus [0:33]
• What is pain catastrophizing? [6:01]
• How can you identify a patient who is catastrophizing? [10:07]
• Strategies for pelvic physical therapists [14:56]
• Sarah’s AHA moment [23:30]
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in PT [25:06]
• Psychologically informed PT practice [39:22]
• Tips for building patient self-efficacy [44:31]
• Sarah’s Case wrap up [52:51

 

Correction: in this episode, Monika referenced an article by Kieran O'Sullivan but incorrectly said Peter O’Sullivan. 

 

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Resources from Episode 5: Pain Catastrophizing 

• Pain Catastrophizing: A Critical Review (2010)
• Pain Catastrophizing Scale (APTA)
• Psychological factors in chronic pelvic pain in women: relevance and application of the fear-avoidance model of pain (2011)
• Do Romantic Partners’ Responses to Entry Dyspareunia Affect Women’s Experience of Pain? The Roles of Catastrophizing and Self-Efficacy (2013)
• Episode 4: The Fixer [12:32] 
• Episode 2: Mountain Analogy [12:37]
• Cognitive Functional Therapy for Disabling Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain: Multiple Cases (2015)  [27:00]
• Association of Pain Psychology Provider Finder [34:09]
• Psychologically Informed Practice for Management of Low Back Pain: Future Directions in Practice and Research (2011) [39:22]
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