Re: Pain Programs in the U.S./Raizel

[Guest guest]

Have you looked through Pain Topics <http://pain-topics.org/> ? There

may be an inpatient program listed there!

---Raizel wrote:

>

> Does anyone know about Inpatient Pain Progams in the U.S.? I would

like to go to one of them. They are usually Interdisciplinary Programs

that last anywhere from two to six weeks.

> Thank you,

> Raizel (A new member)

[Guest guest]

What is a pain program? What do they do for you?

Cheryl

[Guest guest]

As I understand it, a pain program evaluates your pain, provides new medications

or adjusts your current medications, and teaches coping skills like meditation

and physical therapy.

>

> What is a pain program? What do they do for you?

> Cheryl

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the replies. Pain Programs are usually affiliated with a Hospital,

though there are other private ones. If you are on heavy medications they

reduce that by the time you leave. They have group and individual therapy

(cognitive-behavioral therapy is what is used for pain), biofeedback,

acupuncture and so many other therapies.

I saw the online some of the more expensive ones like Sierra Tucson and several

others that most are out of pocket. I know Hopkins, Mayo, Cleveland Clinic

and many other hospital have, that insurance pays for.

I just don't know which is right for me. So far I have not found a listing of

all the program. I live in NY. We used to have one here.

Everyone of these also have Out-Patient Services where you can receive therapy

specifically for Chronic Pain, as mentioned above. Most well known hospitals

provide outpatient biofeedback, cognitive-behavioral therapy and acupuncture in

the Pain Management Department.

Raizel

> Diva wrote:

> As I understand it, a pain program evaluates your pain, provides new

medications or adjusts your current medications, and teaches coping skills like

meditation and physical therapy.

[Guest guest]

Raizel,

I need to correct you on the assumption that Pain Programs are affiliated with

Hospitals. Most pain management doctors have a

" pain program. "

Back to life, and other pain plans are used. They require you to

see a therapist, attend physical therapy if prescribed, adhere to stretch

exercises, adhere to the medication management, and consider intervention

options: injections etc.

Some have their own surgical clinics, maintain documentation of

your progress with a pain diary, journal, functional assessment documentation

(what you can physically do) and they meet and design

a pain plan for your condition.

They also recommend massage therapy, acupuncture or other modes of therapy if

needed.

That is until you are on maintenance which means they have a plan that is

managing your pain for the best of your condition.

All the pain management doctors I have been to have these pain plans. It is not

just going in the doctor looking at your MRI's and telling you, you will take

this medication.

Every thing you mention is offered with the pain management groups

I have had as my Doctors. They also belong to the American Pain Society or

other diagnosis specific in which they have training in pain treatment, attend

seminars, keep up with clinical trials and advancements and share this with

their patients.

I had a team meet with me even though I was on maintenance the

first visit. I am sorry you haven't found this information in your searches.

The American Pain Foundation has listings of pain management physicians that

adhere to this practice. Pain Topics.org also

has this information.

My pain management support is covered by my insurance fully and no procedure is

not covered that is offered to me except acupuncture.

So, Hope you look at the organizations like American Pain Foundation that

advocates through legislature for Pain Patients, military pain pain patients,

and is very focused on providing help The National Foundation for Pain also has

listings that can provide this support.

Please take the time to research these organizations that work so hard to do

this and are non profit organizations and not affiliated with Hospitals.

Also, my pain management refers me to other specialty physicians if

I need it. Rehabilitation and the referral clerk finds the specialty doctor that

will be covered by my insurance, faxes my reports and makes my appointment for

me or let me. I think this qualifys for a pain plan and these are explained in

pain management groups on their website and the pain management plan they use.

Bennie

[Guest guest]

> raizel wrote:

> I just don't know which is right for me. So far I have not found a listing of

all the program. I live in NY. We used to have one here.

Raizel,

I was deleting my old e mails and did not know if someone replied to you. I

think I did explaining my outpatient pain clinic that did the things you stated.

I live in Austin Tx and they have these all over. You can type in Pain Programs

and then the city and state.

My experience is that I titered up on my medications and was referred for

counseling (mandatory first time for evaluation and support), I had done bio

feedback in the past, I declined acupuncture, I do myofascial physical therapy

that I was referred to for evaluation ant treatment , heat, topical therapy

(lidocaine patches), refereed to a rehab specialist ( teaches body mechanics,

brace support, etc),water therapy (low aerobics for exercise), positive imagery,

heat therapy to increase blood flow, medication education and they will evaluate

you for your treatment support : anti depressant, muscle relaxants, sleep

medications etc.

To titer off medications, there has been surgence of Suboxine treatment where

you opoids are replaced with Suboxine in which you cannot take opoids while on

it. My opinion, let me reiterate, my opinion, is that this is just replacing

one medication with another.

I typed in " Inpatient pain management " and there were many options.

Hopkins was an informative website and with that search you could choose

hospital programs. Also, you can research a specific hospital according to the

location you want and chose the pain management department in the search tool

box.

Hope that helps, I also typed in Inpatient Pain Management Programs and a whole

page of choices came up. The Presbyterian Hospital had an excellent website that

offers:

The pain management rehabilitation program:

The pain management rehabilitation program is designed to meet the needs of the

individual patient, depending upon the specific type of pain, disease, or

condition. Active involvement of the patient and family is vital to the success

of the program.

The goal of pain management programs is to help the patient return to the

highest level of function and independence possible, while improving the overall

quality of life - physically, emotionally and socially. Pain management

techniques assist in reducing the suffering experienced by a person with chronic

pain.

In order to help reach these goals, pain management programs may include the

following:

1. medical management of chronic pain, including medication management:

a. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications may include nonsteroidal

anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, and/or acetaminophen.

b. Prescription pain medications may be needed to provide stronger pain

relief than aspirin, including narcotics. However, these drugs are reserved for

more severe types of pain, as they have some potential for abuse and may have

unpleasant side effects.

c. Prescription antidepressants can benefit some patients because these

medications can increase the supply of a naturally produced neurotransmitter,

serotonin. Serotonin has been found to be an important part of a

pain-controlling pathway in the brain.

2. heat and cold treatments to reduce the stiffness and pain, especially with

joint disorders such as arthritis

3. physical and occupational therapy interventions such as massage and

whirlpool treatments

4. exercise to reduce spasticity, joint contractors, joint inflammations,

spinal alignment problems, or muscle atrophy (weakening and shrinking) to

prevent further problems

5. local electrical stimulation involving application(s) of brief pulses of

electricity to nerve endings under the skin to provide pain relief in some

chronic pain patients

6. nerve blocks and regional anesthesia

7. emotional and psychological support for pain, which may include the

following:

a. psychotherapy and group therapy

b. stress management

c. relaxation training

d. meditation

e. hypnosis

f. biofeedback

g. behavior modification

h. assertiveness training

The philosophy common to all of these varied psychological approaches is the

belief that patients can do something on their own to control their pain,

including changing attitudes, feelings, or behaviors associated with pain, or

understanding how unconscious forces and past events have contributed to pain.

I. patient and family education and counseling

II. alternative medicine and therapy treatments, as appropriate

In addition, treatment may include:

A. surgery. Surgery may be considered for chronic pain. Surgery can bring

release from pain, but may also destroy other sensations as well, or become the

source of new pain. Relief is not necessarily permanent, and pain may return.

There are a variety of operations to relieve pain. Consult your physician for

more information.

B. acupuncture. Acupuncture is a 2000-year-old Chinese technique of

inserting fine needles under the skin at selected points in the body, and has

shown some promise in the treatment of chronic pain. Needles are manipulated by

the practitioner to produce pain relief.

They concentrate on the patient centered support and the website is written to

support this. The search I made for New York included several with reviews and

that is what I concentrate on but know that some reviews if negative might be

emotionally driven and take that in account.

Here is the listing. Sorry this is long but thought it would help you make a

decision and rather that just including a link, I cut and pasted the information

to give you and insight to the program at Presbyterian.

--

places for In patient hospital programs near New York, NY

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital -

65 reviews - Place page

www.mskcc.org - 1275 York Ave # Mri1026, New York -

Bellevue Hospital Center -

82 reviews - Place page

www.nyc.gov - 462 1st Avenue, New York -

Lenox Hill Hospital -

103 reviews - Place page

www.lenoxhillhospital.org - 100 East 77th Street, New York -

Group Health Incorporated-GHI: Hospital - 3 reviews - Place page

www.ghi.com - 441 9th Avenue, New York -

New York Downtown Hospital -

17 reviews - Place page

www.downtownhospital.org - 170 Street, New York -

Hospital for Special Surgery -

28 reviews - Place page

www.hss.edu - 535 East 70th Street, New York -

NYU Langone Medical Center -

30 reviews - Place page

www.med.nyu.edu - 550 First Avenue, New York -