Before beginning the Pain Management Program, you will be evaluated by a member
of our clinical staff who will determine whether your condition warrants treatment
in the four-week program or individual therapies such as physical therapy or psychological
counseling.
You will also need to meet the following criteria:
- pain is of a chronic, stable, non-malignant nature
- other medical and psychiatric treatments are not considered more appropriate
- you want to participate in the pain management program
- you agree to involve a family member or significant other person for a one-time
meeting
- financial arrangements have been completed
Program Components
The primary purpose of the program is to help patients remove or reduce disabilities
and cope more effectively with pain-related problems. Specifically, treatment involves
three components, which are provided simultaneously:
- Exercise/physical therapy Daily exercise programs and physical
activities are gradually and progressively increased in a manner appropriate for
a person’s age, medical and physical status.
- Medical intervention Medications used currently for pain are evaluated.
The physician and nurse will design a new medication program with the intention
to gradually reduce and ideally eliminate the medications currently used in relationship
to the chronic pain.
- Psychological counseling Psychological and social issues related
to or caused by the pain are identified and treated. General topics will be covered
in a group setting, while individual sessions address the participant’s specific
issues.
Exercise/Physical Therapy:
The primary goal of exercise and physical therapy are to increase physical function
while reducing and/or eliminating physical disabilities consistent and appropriate
with your medical status, age and coping abilities. The emphasis is on addressing
your individual needs and teaching you how to maximize your physical capabilities
to improve overall quality of life. Individuals will work on flexibility, endurance,
coordination and strength.
Your initial measurements of flexibility, endurance and activity performance will
be used as a baseline by which improvements are measured and tracked. All activities
and exercises are increased according to the results of the initial and weekly evaluations.
You will work with the physical therapy staff to document changes and take part
in physical therapy treatment goals and decisions. Exercise programs are completed
individually and in groups. You will also participate in individual physical therapy
sessions to address your specific needs.
Medication Programs/ Nursing:
At the beginning of the Pain Management Program, a thorough review of your medication
usage is conducted by nursing and medical staff. Most pain-related medications are
discontinued by tapering them over a three-week period (for example, narcotics,
muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatories) and are given in liquid form on a scheduled
basis. Regular doses provide steady levels of medication. Medications taken for
additional medical problems (such as high blood pressure, diabetes) are not disguised
and are taken according to the primary physician’s prescription. The use of
tranquilizers, mood elevators and sleep medications are evaluated on an individual
basis.
Social Issues/Psychology:
All psychological assessment and treatment services are provided by licensed psychologists.
Services are provided individually and in groups. Typically, you will participate
in five groups and have two or three individual sessions per week. Psychologists
generally address the following areas:
Pain and stress management
Many persons with chronic pain find themselves trapped in a vicious cycle. Pain
causes increased stress, which causes muscles to tighten, which produces more pain,
leading to more stress, causing more tension, and the cycle continues. At the Pain
Management Program, you are taught pain and stress management on three fronts.
- First, potential sources of stress in the environment are identified. Once you are
aware of the sources of stress, appropriate behavioral and environmental changes
can be made.
- Second, adaptive thinking skills are taught. In addition, potentially damaging thoughts
and assumptions are identified and changed.
- Third, a variety of relaxation skills are taught. Relaxation is an active process
utilizing specific techniques, which require practice and refinement in order to
be effective. Daily relaxation exercises are an effective means of preventing muscle
tightness and pain. Biofeedback may also be used in conjunction with relaxation
training.
Family involvement
Often family members may feel helpless because they don’t know how to respond
to behavior or inadvertently encourage inactivity and helpless behavior. The primary
focus of family involvement is to educate the family as to how they can be helpful
to the person experiencing chronic pain and be supportive of healthy and active
behavior. We will also assess how communication and relationship patterns impact
and are impacted by pain.
Communications skills
Faulty communications skills and an inability to express emotions and needs can
lead to relationship problems as well as stress, tension and subsequently, an increase
in pain. Recent advances in pain management have demonstrated that successful communication
can decrease the impact of chronic pain. As a result, you will be provided instruction
on communication skills in individual sessions, group lecture and role-playing situations.
Emotional issues
Many individuals with chronic pain are depressed or anxious. Individual counseling
sessions are designed to help improve mood. If necessary, psychotropic medication
management will be coordinated through your psychiatrist or physician. Individual
therapy sessions are also available for dealing with behavioral and sexual issues
related to the pain problem.