Frequently Asked Questions

EMDR is thought to alleviate pain because of its proven capacity to resolve PTSD, which is an underlying causal factor in many cases. EMDR is the only mainstream pain therapy which comprehensively addresses dissociative aspects of chronic pain (avoidance, amnesia, ego-states, depersonalization). Dissociation is a common but little understood aspect of chronic pain. Dissociation is a coping mechanism for overwhelming stress wherein individuals disattend to noxious elements of experience, often so habitually that they are not aware of doing it. Dissociation usually begins in childhood as a way of coping with physical or emotional abuse or neglect. EMDR has also been found to stimulate changes in brain activity associated with chronic pain such as decreased activation of brain areas [STS, STG] responsible for hyperactivation associated with pain related traumatic memories.’ (Amano et al, 2013). Finally, EMDR has been found to stimulate a reduction in emotional distress associated with pain, leading to decreased distress and increased confidence. (Tesarz, 2014)

After taking a full medical and trauma history, the therapist will identify “targets” for EMDR processing and/or skills training/resourcing. The latter can include strategies like Hypnosis, ego-state work, and other EMDR-based therapies such as FLASH technique and Deep Brain Reorienting. Unlike EMDR therapy for simple PTSD, because of the complexity and chronicity of the pain, most cases will require many months of treatment. Recipients of EMDR report a range of benefits including decreased pain, decreased emotional distress, decreased reliance on medication, improved coping and increased feelings of control. With the exception of Hypnosis, no mainstream pain therapies have much effect on the actual pain. While complete pain relief is not always possible recipients can expect to regain more quality of life and be able to relegate pain to a less important place.

The standard approach to EMDR therapy for PTSD involves identifying one or more memories of traumatic events that are responsible for current symptoms and reprocessing them one by one. Because pain is not always associated with a specific traumatic event, and other factors such as illness or injury, plus the likelihood of dissociation, many variations to standard EMDR are necessary. See ’10 EMDR pain protocol variations’ for more details. https://www.gowiththatmagazine.org/gowiththatmag/winter_2023/MobilePagedArticle.action?articleId=1859728&app=false&cmsId=4080141#articleId1859728

Yes. There are currently over 28 peer reviewed studies of EMDR therapy for chronic pain including 9 RCT’s (Randomized Control Trials). Due to the low quality of some of these studies, EMDR has been evaluated as having a level 2 evidence base - where level 1 is considered gold standard. (Matthijssen et al 2020). However, upon completion of several large scale RCT’s currently underway, it is expected that EMDR will attain level 1 status within the next year or two.

EMDR has been reported to be effective in the alleviation of a wide range of pain types including; Chronic low back pain (Gerhardt et al, 2016, Grant 2002, 2014) Phantom Limb pain (Schneider et al 2007) CRPS (Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome) (Hughes 2014) Endometriosis (Pruyn, 2024) IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) Fibromyalgia (Konuk et al 2018) CFS (Chronic Fatigue) (Royle, 2008) Headaches (Marcus 2008) Tinnitus MS (Multiple Sclerosis) & PTSD (Carletto et al, 2016)

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