I’m going to be seeing a pain counselor to start cognitive behavioral therapy. My doctor thinks this is a good way to decrease the level of chronic low back pain I experience everyday. How long does this kind of treatment take to get results?

Studies show you can see results with CBT after just a few sessions. Your own openness and willingness to work the program may make a difference.

In a recent study at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, Washington, patients in a CBT program had positive benefits after four sessions spread out over eight weeks. The positive results were still measurable six and 12 months later.

Patients were able to stop focusing on their pain, improve their function, and decrease their levels of disability. They showed improved healthy ways of coping with their pain and less maladaptive pain coping. Most importantly, their belief in their own ability to control and manage pain themselves was much improved.