​Phase 2 Alleviating Fear

• Phase 1 was designed to be a broad and open discussion to allow you to fully and freely express the impact pain has had on your life. Phase 2 is a more focused discussion on your individual concerns to help alleviate fear and determine the next steps on your journey. ​

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• Walking into a dark room may seem scary and put you on high alert. Flipping on the lights will provide you with instant knowledge of your surroundings and thus reduce your fears. Similarly with pain, it may be difficult to move forward if you have lingering fears about the unknown. Fear or worry can be a major hurdle to overcome in the recovery from chronic pain. Your physician will attempt to address these concerns through a systematic approach to exploring a differential diagnosis of both your prior and current symptoms. Please complete the Differential Diagnosis Form and have it available for your Phase 2 Visit.(22, 23)

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• As part of this differential diagnosis process some of the things that you have been told about your pain may be challenged when looking at you as a whole person and not just a series of lab values or image findings.

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• In an effort to better understand your condition, further testing or referrals may, or may not, be necessary. This evaluation may result in a pause in our progression through the Phases of Change. 

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