How to Choose a Chronic Pain Management Program

Chronic pain is a common problem many people experience. Pain of all kinds is meant as a signal from the body that something is wrong. Pain is often a sign of injury, infection, or illness. Chronic pain occurs because the brain continues firing pain signals even after treatment of the cause. According to the US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, older people or those with an ongoing condition like cancer, nerve damage, or arthritis are most likely to suffer from chronic pain. Programs are available to help people manage their chronic pain, but some people may not know what to look for in such a program. Facts about what to look for in a management program follow.

Causes of chronic pain can happen anywhere in the body and can manifest themselves anywhere in the body but often take place in the head, back, or peripheral nerves. Treatments and management of chronic pain can include medication, acupuncture, and local electrical stimulation in the troubled area, brain stimulation, along with surgery.

Management of chronic pain is possible through physical rehabilitation programs. The American Chronic Pain Association suggests people seek chronic pain management programs based out of a hospital or rehabilitation center. Programs that aren't based out of such places have far fewer resources.

Any chronic pain management program should be accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. The commission can be reached through their webpage here. They can provide information on chronic pain management programs and facilities in a particular area.

Chronic pain management programs that are rooted at hospitals or rehabilitation centers should have separate facilities for their programs. The American Chronic Pain Association also suggests that people only choose an inpatient if they are in need of drug detoxification as well as chronic pain management skills. Otherwise choosing a program to which they can commute and that allows or requires involvement of a patient's family and friends is advised to be best under most circumstances.

Other features that should be considered by a patient when selecting a chronic pain management program include but are not limited to the type of professionals staffing the program which should include physicians, registered nurses, counselors, physical and occupational therapists. Additional features that should be included in a chronic pain management program educational programs regarding all prescribed medicines, job retraining programs, and aftercare. It is also a good idea when considering a program and or facility to ask the facility for references of patients both past and present whenever possible.

Before starting any chronic pain management program it is always wise for the patient to check with their insurance company about what parts if any will be covered and for what length of time said coverage will take place and whether a referral will be necessary.

The information in this article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to replace the advice of a medical professional. Although this article has been reasearched carefully, it is not meant as medical advice. Consult your doctor before starting any health regimen.

Sources:

US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/chronic_pain/chronic_pain.htm

American Chronic Pain Association

http://www.theacpa.org/people/pain_program.asp

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities

http://www.carf.org