Dr. Chris Radziwon Explores Self-Management Strategies for IBS and Pain Disorders.

Written by Casey Hersch, MSW, LCSW
October 18, 2022

After years of living with Crohn's disease (an autoimmune inflammatory bowel disease), I am just starting to understanding the psychosocial influences that influence my symptoms, disease progression, and recovery. For years, I focused on merely physical symptoms and how to stop them. However, there are so many variables affecting my symptom presentation. Simply taking medications and having surgeries does not get to the root of the issue. Healing involves physical, emotional, and passion dimensions. Dr. Radziwon's work is crucial for understanding complex health conditions that don't respond well to conventional medical treatments. Not only is it important to feel in control of symptoms, but it is essential to recognize how our errors in thinking (not intentional) contribute to symptoms. Our mind is an integral part of our existence and Dr. Radziwon, along with a team at University at Buffalo, are changing the terrain for how we treat pain and other disorders such as functional gastrointestinal disorders. Please listen to this interview with an open mind and heart. Know your history and yourself. 

Dr. Chris Radziwon is a health psychologist and director of the Pilot Studies Program in the Division of Behavioral Medicine at the University at Buffalo. His program develops and tests self-management programs for persistent pain disorders. Dr. Radziwon's practice provides behavioral treatments for medical patients with chronic illnesses including traumatic brain injury, migraines, low back pain, multiple sclerosis, and irritable bowel syndrome. At the core of his work, Dr. Radziwon strives to help his patients learn self-management strategies to improve their quality of lives. Every patient is unique, so the process is customized. However, the components often involve goal directed activities with family and friends, hobbies, and other outlets which increase joy, reduce stress . Ultimately this approach reduces dependence on medications through self-management skills.

For more information about Dr. Radziwon and his Research visit: https://medicine.buffalo.edu/faculty/profile.html?ubit=cdr