Biomedical and cognitive therapies

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Biomedical and cognitive therapies are two different approaches to treating pain. Biomedical therapies focus on treating the physical causes of pain, while cognitive therapies focus on helping people to manage their pain by changing their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Biomedical Therapies

Biomedical therapies for pain include:

• Medications: Medications such as over-the-counter pain relievers, prescription opioids, and anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to reduce pain.

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• Physical therapy: Physical therapy can help to improve range of motion, strengthen muscles, and reduce pain.
• Surgery: Surgery may be an option for people with certain types of chronic pain, such as back pain or neuropathic pain.

Cognitive Therapies Cognitive therapies for pain include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of therapy that helps people to identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors that may be contributing to their pain.
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): ACT is a type of therapy that helps people to accept their pain and move on with their lives.

Comparison of Biomedical and Cognitive Therapies

Characteristic	Biomedical Therapies	Cognitive Therapies
Focus	Physical causes of pain	Thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to pain
Examples	Medications, physical therapy, surgery	CBT, ACT
Pain experiences treated best	Acute pain, chronic pain with a clear physical cause	Chronic pain, pain with a psychological component

drive_spreadsheetExport to Sheets Which Type of Therapy is Best for You? The best type of therapy for you will depend on the type of pain you have and your individual needs. If you have acute pain, biomedical therapies may be the best option. If you have chronic pain, or if your pain has a psychological component, cognitive therapies may be the best option. You may also benefit from a combination of biomedical and cognitive therapies. For example, you may be prescribed medication to reduce your pain, and you may also see a therapist to help you manage your pain by changing your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.