Cognitive Functional Therapy (CFT) is an approach designed to help people with ongoing, disabling low back pain. Unlike traditional treatments that mainly focus on the physical causes of pain, CFT looks at the bigger picture. It considers not just your physical symptoms but also how your thoughts, feelings, and everyday habits may be affecting your pain.  CFT takes a personal, individual approach to your experience, focusing on what’s unique to your situation. By understanding and addressing the way your mind and body work together, CFT helps break the cycle of pain and disability, giving you the tools to feel better and return to the activities you enjoy.

• Whole-Person Approach: CFT doesn’t just focus on your back. It looks at how your thoughts, feelings, and past experiences might be affecting your pain and recovery. It’s about treating the whole person, not just the symptoms.

• Understanding Pain: One important part of CFT is teaching you about pain—why your body feels it, and how it can change over time. This helps you understand your pain better and feel more in control.

• Changing Unhelpful Habits: CFT helps you identify any habits or beliefs that might be making your pain worse, like avoiding movement or being afraid of hurting yourself. It then helps you replace them with healthier, more positive ways of thinking and acting.

• Gradual Return to Activity: Instead of avoiding activity or just focusing on easing the pain, CFT encourages you to slowly get back to your normal movements. This builds your confidence and helps you move without fear of pain.