Dr. Jordan Sudberg Explains How Psychological Testing Enhances Chronic Pain Management

Chronic pain affects not only the body but also the mind. It can be debilitating, emotionally draining, and mentally exhausting—especially when traditional medical treatments provide limited relief. What many patients and even some providers overlook is the powerful role psychological testing can play in managing chronic pain. According to Dr. Jordan Sudberg, a leading pain management specialist, integrating psychological evaluation into pain care is not just helpful—it’s essential.

In this post, we explore how psychological testing offers critical insights into the pain experience and why Dr. Sudberg incorporates it into his comprehensive approach to treating chronic pain.

Understanding the Mind-Body Connection in Chronic Pain

Pain is not a purely physical sensation. Emotions, past experiences, beliefs, and mental health all shape how we perceive and respond to pain. Dr. Jordan Sudberg emphasizes that chronic pain often has psychological components that influence its intensity, duration, and response to treatment.

“Pain lives in the brain as much as it does in the body,” says Dr. Sudberg. “Psychological factors like depression, anxiety, trauma, and stress can amplify pain or even maintain it after the original injury has healed.”

This is why people with similar physical conditions may report very different pain experiences. For example, two patients with identical imaging results may have vastly different levels of disability, depending on their psychological resilience, coping mechanisms, and emotional well-being.

What Is Psychological Testing in Pain Management?

Psychological testing involves a structured assessment of a person’s emotional, cognitive, and behavioral functioning. These tests may include:

• Pain coping inventories
  
• Depression and anxiety scales
  
• Personality assessments
  
• Cognitive-behavioral screening
  
• Sleep quality evaluations
  
• Trauma and PTSD inventories
  

Dr. Jordan Sudberg explains that these tests are not about labeling patients with mental health conditions—they are about understanding the full picture of how an individual experiences pain and what may be contributing to its persistence.

“Psychological testing gives us a roadmap,” Sudberg says. “It helps us see what emotional or cognitive patterns may be interfering with healing, and where to target interventions for better outcomes.”

Benefits of Psychological Testing in Chronic Pain Treatment

1. Identifies Psychological Barriers to Recovery

Many chronic pain patients experience depression, anxiety, fear-avoidance behavior, or catastrophic thinking—all of which can intensify pain or prevent recovery. Psychological testing helps uncover these barriers.

“If a patient is afraid to move because they believe it will cause more damage, that fear can become more disabling than the injury itself,” explains Dr. Sudberg.

Recognizing these patterns early allows clinicians to offer appropriate support, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or mindfulness training.

2. Improves Communication Between Patient and Provider

Pain is subjective, and sometimes patients struggle to articulate their experience. Testing provides an objective framework to understand what the patient is going through, making it easier to create a shared language for treatment.

3. Guides Personalized Pain Management Plans

Dr. Sudberg uses psychological insights to tailor treatment plans that address both physical and emotional aspects of pain. For example, a patient showing high levels of stress and poor sleep may benefit from biofeedback, relaxation training, or counseling in addition to physical therapy and medication.

“You can’t treat chronic pain effectively with just pills or injections,” says Sudberg. “You need a whole-person approach, and psychological data helps guide that.”

4. Prepares Patients for Procedures or Surgeries

Research shows that patients with untreated psychological distress tend to have poorer outcomes after surgeries or invasive procedures. Psychological testing helps identify patients who may need extra support before and after such interventions.

Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health in Pain

Unfortunately, many patients are hesitant about psychological testing because they fear being told “it’s all in your head.” Dr. Jordan Sudberg works to eliminate this stigma by educating patients on the science behind the pain-brain connection.

“Acknowledging the psychological side of pain isn’t dismissive—it’s empowering,” Sudberg says. “When we understand what’s driving pain, we can take back control.”

He stresses that mental and emotional health are just as important as physical health in achieving lasting pain relief.

Moving Toward Multidisciplinary Pain Care

As a strong advocate of multidisciplinary care, Dr. Sudberg collaborates with psychologists, physical therapists, neurologists, and other specialists to treat chronic pain from every angle. By incorporating psychological testing, he ensures that no part of the patient’s experience is overlooked.

“Our goal is not just to reduce pain, but to restore function, hope, and quality of life,” says Sudberg.

Final Thoughts: A Smarter, Holistic Approach to Pain

Chronic pain is complex, and treating it effectively means recognizing that both the body and mind play a role. Psychological testing offers invaluable insights into the emotional and cognitive dimensions of pain, enabling better treatment decisions and more sustainable outcomes.

Thanks to specialists like Dr. Jordan Sudberg, patients now have access to more compassionate, science-backed care that sees the whole person—not just the symptoms.

If you’re struggling with chronic pain that doesn’t seem to respond to physical treatments alone, it may be time to explore the mental and emotional layers beneath it. With the right support, recovery is not only possible—it’s within reach.