New program puts pain management in patient hands
25 Feb 2016
25 February 2016
Dr Manu (Rehabilitation Physician) is heading up these new programs and is very focused on assisting patients to better manage their pain.
The Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program teaches patients simple self-treatment and self-management techniques to reduce pain, improve function and ultimately improve one's quality of life through:
- Reduction of pain impact on quality of life through medication prescription and subsequent supervision, physical therapy and activity modification.
- Reduction of physical factors that aggravate and perpetuate the pain.
- Behaviour and Cognitive treatments to lessen the impact of chronic pain.
- Improvement of day to day functioning.
- Self-management strategies.
Chronic pain is any pain suffered consistently for more than three months. Types of Chronic pain include arthritis, back pain, neck pain, knee and shoulder pain, repetitive strain injury, fibromyalgia, muscular, neurological or complex regional pain syndromes.
Our Pain program equips chronic pain sufferers with effective and constructive strategies to help manage their condition in the long term. The Pain program is based on a cognitive behavioural therapy approach combined with a reconditioning program, to improve self-management strategies. The therapy program is provided in a small group setting, and is customised for each individual patient.
Our Pain management team includes:
- Rehabilitation Physician
- Occupational Therapist
- Physiotherapist
- Hydrotherapist
- Psychologist
Program goals include:
- physician medication review
- improved strength, flexibility and endurance
- improved function and activity levels
- relaxation and distraction strategies
- easing of depression, anxiety
- improved relationship with family and friends
- enhanced community participation return to work
Achieving your outcomes
Regular outcome measurements are performed using validated measures, and individuals' goals are reviewed.
Long term follow up
As part of our hospitals continuum of care, after completion of the Pain Program patients are periodically reviewed.
Referrals for both inpatient and outpatients can be sent to:
Dr Christina Manu
St John of God Warrnambool Hospital
136 Botanic Road, Warrnambool 3280,
Fax: (03) 55 634 556