Dealing with Chronic Pain

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Find a therapist to help with chronic pain

Chronic pain can be treated.

Neurostimulation uses gentle electric currents to help the tracks of the brain run more smoothly.

Neurostimulation may be able to be used effectively in the home setting.

Psychologists are working to bring more individualized and personal care to people with chronic pain.

Sometimes psychologists keep seeing the same work pop up over and over again over the course of their career, and they think, "Man, that person really has their finger on the pulse of what matters!" That has always been my experience with my wonderful friend and colleague Dr. Lara Dhingra, the Director of Clinical Studies and Disparities Research at the MJHS Institute for Innovation and an Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Social Medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. We recently had the opportunity to chat about pain psychology, her work in reducing chronic pain, and the future of personalized medicine and where pain psychology fits in. I hope you find that her work helps you better understand neurostimulation and the modern treatment options for chronic pain that are coming down the pipeline.

Elizabeth Seng: What does the phrase "chronic pain" mean to you?

Lara Dhingra: There’s a medical definition of chronic pain—pain that lasts for three months or longer—but to me, as a psychologist, it’s much more than that. Chronic pain isn’t just a symptom; it’s an illness itself. It can negatively affect mood, energy, and make everyday activities harder to do. It often brings grief and loss as it takes away things that once brought joy and meaning.

But I also believe in the power of staying connected to what matters. Finding ways to stay engaged in life—even when pain is present—becomes even more important. As my mentor, Dr. Lance McCracken, once said, it’s like a dance. You may not be able to make the pain disappear, but you can learn to move with it, to make space for it, and still live a life that feels meaningful.

ES: How do you know that you have "chronic pain" as opposed to other types of pain?

LD: Pain from an injury or illness usually gets better over time—often within days or weeks. But if the pain lasts for three months or more, or keeps coming back, it’s considered chronic. Some experts also consider pain to be chronic even if it’s been present for a shorter time, especially when it’s linked to a condition that isn’t expected to fully go away, like arthritis. It’s important to talk to a health care provider to better understand what’s going on and explore your options.

ES: What is neurostimulation and how does it work?

LD: I think of the brain as a giant subway system, with trillions of pathways and connections. Neurostimulation sends a tiny, gentle electric current to help those tracks run more smoothly. This current is delivered through a small headband (see photo) and may help reduce pain and improve brain function.

ES: What are the benefits of neurostimulation over other treatment options?

LD: Neurostimulation is non-invasive—the headband simply rests on your scalp—no surgery or needles are involved. It doesn’t require medications, which can be helpful for those looking to avoid drug-related side effects. Most people tolerate it well, and experience only mild itching or tingling that becomes less noticeable after a few minutes. It’s a gentle option for those exploring new ways to improve pain—and the best part is, it can be done at home, while you watch your favorite show!

ES: Where is neurostimulation typically offered now, and how does getting it at home help?

LD: Right now, neurostimulation is considered a low-risk therapy by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While some devices are available to the public, it’s important to know that there are limited studies supporting their use for chronic pain. Some clinical programs offer neurostimulation under professional supervision. At MJHS, our team is conducting research with partners to better understand how neurostimulation works and how to make it more accessible. One exciting development is the ability to use it at home, making treatment more convenient, comfortable, and easier to fit into daily life.

Dealing with Chronic Pain

Take our Depression Test

Find a therapist to help with chronic pain

ES: Where do you think the field of chronic pain treatment is going, and what do you hope we all accomplish together in the next five years?

LD: The future of chronic pain treatment is moving toward more personalized, holistic care. There’s growing recognition that the mind and body are deeply connected—how you feel emotionally and how you behave can directly influence your pain experience.

In the next five years, we hope to see more innovative technologies, like neurostimulation, virtual reality, and even artificial intelligence, playing a bigger role in treatment. These tools offer new, more accessible ways to manage pain—but how we integrate them into health care is a key question. I see a future where pain care isn’t just about treating the disease, but about understanding the whole person—their brain, body, social connections, and daily life—and offering support that better fits their personal needs.

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