Theory and Practice of Self-Induced Pain Management: Approaches Learned from Effective Copers

Abstract

Pain control can be central to the effective management of sickle cell disease (SCD). The traditional medical model has relied on pharmacological intervention as the primary treatment approach to pain management. Alternatively, psychologists have the capability of assisting people with SCD through methods that empower them to control SCD pain. The concepts advanced in this article are based on the clinical experiences of the authors in working with people who have SCD. The purpose of the article is to describe alternative strategies to the traditional pharmacological methods for management of SCD pain. The authors examine in more depth cognitive strategies and autonomic nervous system engaging strategies that have been found to be effective in the self-induced management of SCD pain.