Treatment

The First Step – Outpatient Evaluation

The first step towards admission to the Behavioral Medicine Center Pain Management Program is referral from the patient’s treating physician and receipt of complete medical records. The Pain Management program staff reviews the records and schedules an outpatient evaluation during which specialized assessments are performed. The patient is typically seen by the Director, a licensed psychologist, and by staff Physical and Occupational therapists with specialized training in chronic pain management.

Candidates for our programs are typically patients with intractable musculoskeletal pain who have undergone thorough medical work-ups and have not responded to conventional medical treatment. We use a combination of education, rehabilitative therapy, counseling and behavioral treatment to help patients reach a higher level of functional independence.

Based on needs identified during the comprehensive outpatient evaluation, a treatment plan is developed. Each plan specifies individual goals and objectives, as well as the actions or interventions needed to meet them. Specific treatments are highly individualized and are aimed at reducing the experience of pain and maximizing functionality. The patient and the treating physician review and agree to the planned course of treatment, care, or services.

Once the goals and methods are mutually agreed upon treatment begins. Patients are taught to develop and strengthen new coping abilities that can be applied not only to present difficulties but also to future problems. This enables patients to more effectively maintain progress and continue healthy growth. Patient’s families are encouraged to become part of the process of change, as their attitudes and behaviors are important for the patient’s success.

The required length of treatment depends upon the nature of the difficulty. The Behavioral Medicine Center Pain Management Program offers two treatment options:
• One-on-one individualized treatment
• Group Program

Please see the the right side of this page for a list of our behavioral and physiological approaches.

For more information, please call 610-988-4951