The Stanford Center for Back Pain is a nationally-funded center studying 4 evidence-based, non-drug treatments for chronic low back pain: Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, and Acupuncture.
Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI): Real-time fMRI is a novel treatment in which we teach you how to change your mental processing of pain while receiving feedback about your brain activity. Similar to biofeedback where participants train to change heart rate or respiration with help from a visual aid (e.g. heart rate or respiration monitor), neurofeedback involves using fMRI to provide the participant with feedback about his/her brain activity in real time. Real-time fMRI does not involve risks associated with X-ray or CT.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a well established therapy for the treatment of chronic pain. This therapy involves examining and working to change thoughts and behaviors that are known to increase pain, while establishing and strengthening coping mechanisms that decrease pain.
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): MBSR is a meditation based therapy incorporating mindfulness meditation and movement. MBSR was standardized into medical practice in 1979 by Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli and is a well established treatment for chronic pain.
Acupuncture: This treatment originates from traditional Chinese medicine and has long been used for the treatment of pain. Acupuncture involves the stimulation of specific points along the skin of the body using thin needles.
Multidisciplinary approach: Our research team is comprised of experts in the field of Pain Medicine, Neuroscience, Psychology, Behavioral Sciences, and Psychiatry. We work together to better understand how these therapies work for the individual living with chronic low back pain. It is our hope that our research will alleviate suffering and will inform precision medicine of the future – tailored to the specific needs of the individual.
Principal Investigators: Sean Mackey, MD, PhD, James Gross, PhD, Rachel Manber, PhD
Sponsor: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
The Stanford Center for Back Pain is currently enrolling participants in a study of several evidenced-based back pain treatments.
Study procedures are AT NO COST and you may be compensated for participation and travel.