EMDR TREATMENT OF CHRONIC PAIN FAQ’s

    What types of pain can EMDR help with?

    Research and experience suggests EMDR can help with the following kinds of pain;

• Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome
• Headache pain
• Burn pain
• Phantom Limb Pain
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Capsulitis
• Post-operative pain
• Interstitial Cystitis

   What kind of results can I expect?

   Results vary. Where the pain is driven primarily by emotional factors (eg; trauma,)

   significant even total pain cessation is possible. Where the pain is associated with

   physical pathology associated with illness or injury, the best that may be hoped for

   is improved pain control, reduced overall pain experience, improved sleep and

   reduced anxiety and depression.

   The most important factor in EMDR treatment of chronic pain is not so much the

   type of pain as your psychological resources. The greater your ability to concentrate

   and experience decreased emotional distress in response to the Dual Attention

   Stimulus/Bilateral Stimulus, the greater your ability to benefit from this treatment.

   How much research is there regarding EMDR treatment of chronic pain

   As of 2012 there are over 10 peer-reviewed research articles reporting positive

   results in EMDR treatment of chronic pain. Mark Grant is conducting a randomized

   study in 2012/13 which should lead to wider professional acceptance of the method

   as a treatment for pain.

   How many sessions does it take?

   This depends on each individual case and the extent of other medical and

   psychological problems associated with the pain. You should be able to tell whether

   the method helps within two or three sessions, and its then just a matter of integrating

   self-use of Bls/DAS into your pain-management routine.

   How can I use this method to help myself?

   One of the core treatment elements of EMDR involves focusing on the pain whilst

   simultaneously attending the bilateral auditory tones. In most people this results in

   decreased pain, feeling as though the pain is further away (distancing effect), reduced

   anxiety and stress and sometimes drowsiness. You can learn to use this process

   through purchasing Mark Grant’s ÇD’s incorporating DAS/Bls and/or seeking help

   from an EMDR-trained therapist. Because of the concentration and memory problems,

   and emotional disconnection experienced by many chronic pain sufferers it is probably

   worthwhile having at least a few sessions with an EMDR therapist – this will enhance

   your use of the DAS/Bls. Because of the methods potential to trigger traumatic material

   associated with pain.

   Self-use of DAS/Bls is not recommended in people with severe unresolved

   trauma, dissociative disorders or epilepsy without professional supervision.

   (source: Mark Grant 2012) http://www.overcomingpain.com/