Individualized Pain Management Services
Expert Pain Diagnosis
Individualized Treatment Planning
Pain and Addiction
Treatment Outcomes
Who is Appropriate for the Pain Management Program?
Seven Point Clinical Philosophy of Pain Management
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Pain Management Program
Sierra Tucson offers an innovative and comprehensive mind-body approach for the treatment of chronic pain. Chronic pain is complex in its causes and affects all parts of the body; it involves the tissues, bodily systems, and the mind.
Because chronic pain is multidimensional, it is never adequately addressed with a unidimensional treatment. Pain management must extend beyond physical approaches to include the psychological, social, and even spiritual aspects of the patient. Effective integrated treatment fosters self-awareness and teaches appropriate and effective self-care. In time, complex issues are managed, pain is reduced, and the patient moves toward peak physical and psychological functioning.
Sierra Tucson’s Pain Management Program has been awarded Pain Program Accreditation by the American Academy of Pain Management and is the only Academy-accredited inpatient pain program in Arizona. The rigorous accreditation process evaluated Sierra Tucson’s program on criteria such as its commitment to quality care, concern for patients, and use of outcomes measurement for continuous improvement. # Top
Individualized Pain Management Services
Since every person’s pain management needs are different, Sierra Tucson incorporates a broad approach to treatment that addresses the various concurrent bio-psycho-social-spiritual factors that contribute to chronic pain. The four components of the pain experience are: 1) the physical sensation, 2) automatic thoughts, 3) uncomfortable emotional reactions, and 4) self-defeating behaviors that often result from the thinking and feelings. Studies show that as pain lingers on and becomes chronic, a patient’s mood and motivation are affected (Walker, Holloway & Sofaer, 1999; Jensen, Turner, Romano & Karoly, 1991). As patients learn to separate the physical sensations from their psycho-emotional responses, stress levels associated with the pain symptoms are reduced.
Every Chronic Pain Patient Wants to Know:
- What is wrong? (Diagnosis)
- What is going to happen to me? (Prognosis)
- What can be done? (Treatment Options)
Research tells us that patients who get answers to these questions have increased satisfaction, better coping strategies, and less anxiety. Understanding pain reduces the threat value and improves pain and outcomes.
~Moseley, Hodges, and Nicholas, 2003
Patients with Coexisting Addictive Disorders Also Want to Know:
- How am I going to function or manage my pain without my old medication?
- How will Sierra Tucson help me develop an ongoing recovery plan?
These questions and many more will be addressed by the Sierra Tucson treatment team while they work together with patients to develop safe and effective pain management plans. During the first week in treatment, patients also begin developing collaborative discharge treatment plans, which are finalized before they leave Sierra Tucson.
Please review Sierra Tucson's Clinical Philosophy of Pain Management.
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Expert Pain Diagnosis
Chronic pain may be caused by a combination of physical, psycho-emotional, chemical, nutritional, behavioral, and/or environmental factors. Pain specialists at Sierra Tucson provide a musculoskeletal and neurological exam and personally evaluate every pain issue from a bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach. The patient receives both medical and psychological interventions and is guided into behavioral, lifestyle, and emotional changes that can help decrease pain over time.
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Individualized Treatment Planning
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
Sleep Restoration
Sleep disorders are the most common health problem in the United States. So important is nightly regenerative sleep that many other health issues can stem directly from a lack thereof, including depression and chronic pain. It has been reported that pain sensitivity increases after only one night of poor sleep, so it is easy to see why sleep disorders are especially prevalent in pain patients. Patients in Sierra Tucson's Pain Management Program are carefully evaluated for a broad range of sleep-health risk factors, and recommendations are given to address these problems as part of their treatment.
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.
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Pain and Addiction
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.
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Treatment Outcomes
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
The core team of Sierra Tucson health professionals who care for patients in the Pain Management Program include physicians, psychologists, nurses, physical therapists, psychotherapists, biofeedback therapists, and pharmacists.
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.
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Who is Appropriate for the Pain Management Program?
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
Patients who suffer from moderate to severe chronic pain are helped to significantly reduce their pain and gain important skills for living a healthier, more productive life. Patients who admit into another Sierra Tucson program may also receive Pain Management services.
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Seven Point Clinical Philosophy of Pain Management
- We believe that each patient’s report of pain is valid. Our approach to
assisting the patient is driven by this basic assumption.
- We treat each patient with dignity, acknowledging their perception of pain
and accepting their cultural, spiritual, and psychological values as
their reality.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Our role is that of advocate for the patient to assist in achieving
his/her recovery goal while providing relief from pain.
- 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.
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