Pain Management Program

1. How am I going to function or manage my pain without my old medication?
2. How will Sierra Tucson help me develop an ongoing recovery plan?

Please review Sierra Tucson's Clinical Philosophy of Pain Management.

# Top

Chronic pain may be caused by a combination of physical, psycho-emotional, chemical, nutritional, behavioral, and/or environmental factors. Patients experiencing chronic pain receive a musculoskeletal and neurological exam from Sierra Tucson’s pain specialists. Expert diagnosis determines the origins of pain—whether from specific tissues or a systemic condition—and the degree of impact by psychological features. Once the causes are fully understood, the patient receives both medical and psychological interventions and is guided into behavioral, lifestyle, and emotional changes that can help decrease pain over time.

# Top

A comprehensive and individualized treatment plan is developed for each patient, which may include the following services:

• Musculoskeletal & Neurological Exam
• Medical Consultations & Care
• Skilled Nursing
• Physical Therapy
• Psychological Evaluation
• Pharmacological Evaluation & Treatment
• Experiential Therapy
• Equine-Assisted Therapy
• Substance Abuse Counseling
• Safe Exercise & Movement Therapies
• Aquatic Therapy
• Biofeedback
• Sleep Restoration Plan
• Anti-inflammatory Nutrition Instruction
• Manual Therapies: Massage, Mobilization, Manipulation
• Meditation
• Acupuncture
• Other Integrative Therapies, as indicated
• Pain Flare-up Planning
• Relapse Prevention
• Denial Management Counseling

Patients receive a thorough pain assessment, with reassessment at regular intervals, allowing our multidisciplinary team to skillfully address each person’s ongoing needs. Sierra Tucson’s staff work with the patient’s referring physician to collaborate regarding treatment and aftercare.

# Top

Addiction to pain medication is a common diagnosis and focus of treatment at Sierra Tucson. Physical pain, if not well managed, often acts as a primary trigger for addictive processes. The connection between pain management and addiction requires a high level of medical expertise to generate consistently successful outcomes. Sierra Tucson utilizes various proven therapeutic modalities to target the causes of pain. Thus, the patient receives the most comprehensive treatment available. Treatment seeks to use the fewest medications possible, and abstinence is always preferred. If medication is required, non-addictive medications with fewer side effects are considered first. Occasionally, opiates may be indicated for effective pain management. Sierra Tucson's highly qualified physicians are experts in developing individualized medication management plans for patients dealing with chronic pain.

# Top

The primary goal of the pain program is to restore function and improve the quality of life for people suffering with chronic pain. Important goals include:

• Return to normal daily activities and resume the most functional, independent, productive lifestyle possible
• Increase physical strength, stamina, and flexibility
• Reduce/eliminate use of pain medications
• Minimize pain behaviors
• Learn stress management techniques
• Return to gainful employment (if applicable)
• Resume leisure and recreational activities
• Improve interpersonal relationships
• Reduce reliance on healthcare professionals, with improved ability to self-manage chronic pain

Although no one is guaranteed to leave treatment pain-free, suffering can be relieved when patients implement the new skills they develop during the treatment process. As awareness, mood, sleep, and physical ability improve, the patient’s quality of life increases and continues to progress after treatment. Patients eventually reach the ultimate goal of long-term pain reduction and effective pain management through physical adaptation, cognitive-behavioral modification, and reconciliation of emotional conflicts. Sierra Tucson’s Pain Management Program provides patients with the self-care tools to manage, control, and reduce their pain, thereby improving their ability to function at high levels and, in essence, to take back their lives.

# Top

For individuals whose needs are complex and uncertain, Sierra Tucson can design an individualized assessment program (usually 4 - 10 days) to determine the optimal course of treatment, whether inpatient or outpatient. Please call us at 800-842-4487 for details.

Sierra Tucson's innovative Pain Management Program (typically a 45-day length of stay) successfully treats many patients with various types of chronic pain, including:

• Arthritis
• Central nervous system sensitivity
• Disorders of the neck and back
• Headaches
• Neuropathies
• Oro-facial pain
• Musculoskeletal and rheumatic conditions, including fibromyalgia
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
• Opiate hyperalgesia

# Top

1. We believe that each patient’s report of pain is valid. Our approach to assisting the patient is driven by this basic assumption.
2. We treat each patient with dignity, acknowledging their perception of pain and accepting their cultural, spiritual, and psychological values as their reality.
3. Our primary goal is to assist the patient in wisely and skillfully managing their pain experiences, based upon the patient’s stated desire for pain relief.
4. Given the nature of our facility—working with patients addicted to mood-altering chemicals—addressing both patients’ pain and their addiction becomes a delicate balance. We will, therefore, work to complete a comprehensive pain assessment with reassessment at regular intervals, taking into account the patient’s progress. This can only be accomplished using a multidisciplinary team approach.
5. Pain will be a component of the patient’s interdisciplinary treatment plan. We educate all clinicians to assure competence in dealing with the addicted patient, whose treatment is complicated by coexisting pain issues.
6. Our role is that of advocate for the patient to assist in achieving his/her recovery goal while providing relief from pain.
7. We have a committee for ongoing examination of our work in treating patients with acute and/or chronic pain. If we determine that we are unable to adequately and safely treat a patient with co-occurring pain issues, we will offer resources to the patient that may better address his/her pain needs.

# Top