by Michael Coupland | Oct 19, 2020 | Chronic Pain, Injured Workers, Opioids
The use of opioids across our nation has risen to epidemic proportions, and regulators, government agencies and, of course, the workers’ compensation industry have implemented actions designed to address this problem. Their efforts are commendable, and the workers’... 
by Michael Coupland | Oct 5, 2020 | Cognitive behavioral therapy, Injured Workers, Psychotherapy
We know that early intervention is critical to preventing delayed recoveries. One of the challenges has been to identify injured workers at higher risk of poor outcomes. Fortunately, we have the tools to determine which patients are more likely to develop chronic pain... 
by Michael Coupland | Sep 7, 2020 | Injured Workers, Opioids
Imagine taking a “pain” medication that may actually intensify the suffering. Add to that frequent side effects, such as respiratory distress, constipation, sexual dysfunction and depression, and you’ve described opioids. We increasingly hear about the potential for... by Michael Coupland | Feb 3, 2020 | CBT, Chronic Pain, Cognitive behavioral therapy, Injured Workers, Workers' Compensation
Chronic pain is more prevalent than many people think. The latest government figures say more than 15 percent of currently employed adults have pain nearly every single day, and when non-working adults are added in, the rate rises to almost 20 percent. That translates... by Michael Coupland | Jan 20, 2020 | CBT, Chronic Pain, Cognitive behavioral therapy, Injured Workers, Mental Health, Mind-body, Mind-body treatments, Workers' Compensation
Your body is more than just a vehicle for carrying your head around. Modern research shows the mind and body have a complex, interdependent relationship, and what affects one affects the other. This is especially important in treating injured workers with delayed... by Michael Coupland | Dec 16, 2019 | Chronic Pain, Injured Workers, Mental Health, Opioids, Workers' Compensation
There’s an experiment I like to do with audiences when I am presenting on the use/misuse of opioids for chronic pain. I ask them to hold their breath…for a while. Then I ask them what they are thinking. The answer is, of course, “when can I take a breath?” In those... 