Dr James Alexander, PhD- Psychologist

Most medical doctors aren't trained to treat chronic pain. This comes as no surprise, given the huge volume of information med students have to absorb. But, chronic pain is one of the most prevalent conditions experienced in our culture, so it does deserve training attention. The lack of adequate preparation results in the over-prescription of pain killing medication and an alarmist message about the fragility of the body, particularly, the spine. People actually suffer as a result of reliance on pain killers (which kill more people in the U.S than do car accidents); and also from an incorrect notion that their body is weak and vulnerable to damage. What should be transitory pain from an acute injury is often turned into an ongoing chronic pain because of the misinformation which the sufferer is given, and the sense of panic which can result. The only way forward in the treatment of chronic pain for medical practitioners and other physical therapists is to incorporate an awareness of psycho-social issues as they impact on our mind/body.

http://www.henryford.com/body.cfm?id=46335&action=detail&ref=1942