This paper presents cognitive strategies as one major approach to pain management. They are discussed as part of a trimodal system of pain management that also includes behavioral manipulations and physical intervention. The need for a standardized classification to deal with terminological inconsistency in the literature on cognitive management of pain is discussed, and a taxonomy of pain management strategies is proposed. The taxonomy offers a framework for comparison of strategies and their differing effects. Cognitive strategies are defined as techniques that influence pain through the medium of thoughts or cognitions. Three strategy categories are discussed: (1) imagery, which is subdivided into compatible emotive imagery and incompatible sensory imagery; (2) self-statements, which may be coping or reinterpretative; and (3) attention-diversion, which may be active or passive. (JAC)