Pain Rehabilitation Program
Chronic Pain is persistent pain that tends to be constant rather than intermittent and can become a pattern of painful sensations that persist long after the initial injury. The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPMR) defines chronic pain syndrome (CPS) patients by the following criteria:
- reports of persistent (i.e., at least three months duration) pain, which may be consistent with or significantly out of proportion to physical findings;
- demonstrates or has demonstrated a progressive deterioration in ability to function at home, socially, and at work;
- shows or has shown a progressive increase in health care utilization (such as repeated physical evaluations, diagnostic tests, requests for pain medications, and/or invasive medical procedures);
- demonstrates mood disturbance;
- exhibits clinically significant anger and hostility.
Chronic pain involves a complex interaction of physiological and psychosocial factors, and successful intervention requires the coordinated effort of a treatment team with expertise in a variety of therapeutic disciplines. The interdisciplinary pain program at Direct RehabMed includes a core staff of a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician, a Pain Medicine Physician, a physical therapist, a licensed psychologist, a Licensed Social Worker, and a Licensed Professional Counselor. The team members coordinate efforts to rehabilitate the patient and design a comprehensive treatment plan to meet each patient's individual needs. Mediation management and laboratory services are provided within the scope of the program. Individuals are referred to outside providers for diagnostic imaging and pharmacy services.
Treatment goals include the following:
- Reduce the misuse, overuse, or dependency on medications;
- Maximize and maintain optimal physical activity and function;
- Return to productive activity at home, socially, and/or at work;
- Increase the patient's ability to self-manage pain and related problems;
- Reduce subjective pain intensity and increase subjective productivity;
- Reduce/eliminate the use of ongoing health care services for primary pain complaint;
- Provide useful information to the patient and professionals involved in the case to allow case resolution;
- Minimize treatment cost without sacrificing quality of care.
Interdisciplinary pain management programs are cost-effective. Patients who complete an interdisciplinary program return to work or undergo vocational rehabilitation more often than patients who do not enter a pain program. Interdisciplinary pain programs result in decreased pain ratings, decreased reliance upon medications, and marked improvement in physical functioning.