What is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is pain that has existed for several months and can potentially continue for years. Chronic pain usually stems from either an incurable medical condition or an injury that has previously healed. It can be limited to a specific region of the body or affect many regions at the same time. Chronic pain can also lead to hopelessness and depression in which a person's productivity and relationships may be compromised.
IPPMC Chronic Pain Program
Program Introduction
At Interventional Pain and Physical Medicine Clinic our mission is to improve quality of life by reducing pain and suffering in order to maximize function.
Our multidisciplinary intensive two week outpatient rehabilitation program attempts to eliminate negative pain behaviors and cognitive restrictions in order to decrease the anxiety and depression that are often associated with chronic pain. Our goal is to minimize the use of opioids in treating chronic benign pain while maximizing function.
We combine the specialties of physicians, nurses, physical/occupational therapy, and psychology. We provide our patients with a foundation of coping skills. Our methods include a cognitive behavioral model, exercise, group and individual counseling, relaxation techniques, and stress management.
Our comprehensive team works with compassion to help our patients succeed. We contribute to the medical market by providing cost effective pain management, minimally invasive therapies, and improved quality of life.
Program Goals
- To promote self-management and reduce reliance on healthcare system
- Improve psychological and emotional functioning
- Increase control over pain
- Decrease pain and accompanying suffering
- Improve pain control without addicting drugs
- Improve physical conditioning and restore physical function
- Return patients to work and productivity
- Decrease cost of medical care associated with the chronic pain
Admission Criteria
- Person should have experienced chronic pain for at least six months
- Person should suffer from pain that is limiting to his/her daily function
- Person should be willing to take control of his/her pain and discontinue the use of narcotic pain medications
- Person should have adequate emotional stability and be capable of controlling his/her behavior
- Person should have a close family member or friend participate in the final day of the program with them
Features of the Program
Patients will work extensively with our treatment team of healthcare professionals, including:
- Doctor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Pain Psychologist
- Physical Therapists
- Occupational Therapist
- Registered Nurses
The program includes each of the following components:
- Strength Training and Aerobic Exercise
- Group Discussion Therapy
- Medication Management
- Patient Education Lectures
- Individual Case Management
- Family Group Therapy
- Flexibility Training
Program Schedule
Patients typically participate in the program for two consecutive weeks Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Patients are able to spend evenings at home or in a local hotel and are encouraged to return home on the weekend to practice pain managing skills.
Since chronic pain is rarely eliminated in couple of weeks, follow up appointments are strongly encouraged in the months following the program.
