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**ACT & Pain Thread** - Acceptance & Commitment Therapy has received large amount of research on its effectiveness within pain management therapies 
ACT is a psychotherapeutic modality and has beene extensively used in treating anxiety, depression, OCD, weight loss regimens, addiction and stress.
ACT allows pts to become "psychologically flexbile" in their approach to pain, moving from resistance to accepting & allowing. This allows for improvements through the rehabilitation process and can build on a platform towards symptom reduction & a return to a meaningful life
There are 6 core principles of ACT which include: Cognitive defusion, cognitive expansion, mindfulness/connection, acceptance, values & committed action. Unless these prinicples guide the therapeutic process, is ACT being utilised?
Pain is multifaceted, complex and maintaining factors remain somewhat of a grey area, with several efforts (analgesia, alcohol, avoidance, smoking, poorly prescribed rehab programmes) to avoid/eliminate pain to be unsuccessful.
Proposed MOA include cog restructuring of beliefs about pain via value driven actions/improved psychological flexibility - now taking a non-resistance approach to pain management and engaging in meaningful living
*Myth 1* - ACT can only be used with patients who are experiencing "chronic" or more appropriately termed, persistent pain. ACT can be used with athletes, office workers with acute pain, and pretty much just about everyone!
Myth 2 - ACT can only be performed by a psychologist. Not true, there are several ACT CPD opportunities for physiotherapists and other HCPs alike - via @laurarathbone @StevenCHayes
*Myth 3* - ACT is the answer to pain and will solve all your problems! It's NOT, it is definitely another tool for our patients toolkit and IMO a very worthy tool. Get practicing for yourselves!
