Pain Management Programme
The RealHealth Intensive treatment programme (Pain Management Programme) is a four-week group based residential programme. Patients suitable for this programme will have pain that is causing a significant impact on their lifestyle in terms of limitation of function or change in mood and wellbeing. The programme runs for fourteen full days over three weeks with the sessions delivered by the interdisciplinary team of pain specialist, psychologist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, nurse and assistant psychologist. The emphasis of the programme is the development and use of effective strategies for the maintenance of function despite ongoing pain. This is achieved by the use of a graded exposure exercise programme, instruction in pacing techniques, education about pain and its effects, cognitive behavioural therapy and relaxation training. Substantial changes in function are expected following the programme, but total pain relief is not expected. Follow up is integral to the treatment protocol. Comprehensive pre and post outcome data are taken on all patients.
Selection criteria
Interdisciplinary assessment with physician, psychologist and physiotherapist, plus range of measures.
Suitability
Persons deemed suitable for treatment on the pain management programme will have had problematic pain for at least two years and will have noted considerable limitation of function, both physically in terms of what they can do, and psychologically in the way the pain has affected them, as a result.
Description
Group residential programme of up to 10 persons. Programme comprises Assessment day, 14 days of programme and a follow up day. Programme runs three or four days per week 9am-5pm Tuesday to Friday.
The aim of the programme is to allow people with persistent pain to develop techniques and strategies to allow them to minimise the impact of their pain on their quality of life. This is achieved by:
- A stretch and exercise programme to improve strength, stamina and range of movement
- Education into the cause and nature of chronic pain with particular emphasis on the distinction between pain and damage
- Working on goals to make a return to an active lifestyle using planning and pacing techniques
- Cognitive therapy to understand the links between beliefs, fears, thoughts, and subsequently mood and pain, and to learn techniques of identifying unhelpful patterns of thinking and develop effective challenges
- Reduction in unhelpful pain related medications
- Reduction in reliance on rest
- To develop a range of relaxation techniques to reduce pain and aid sleep
To improve range and style of strategies to manage increases in pain.
Staffing
- Psychologist
- Physiotherapist
- Occupational therapist
- Nurse
- Assistant psychologist
Duration
Assessment day, 14 days over 3 weeks, 1 follow up day at 4 - 6 weeks after treatment.
Assessment and outcome measures
Oswestry, Zung, Self efficacy questionnaire, pain scores, SF 36, CSQ, TSK, speed walk, stairs, stand and sit, range of movement
Follow up
4 - 6 weeks
