PAIN CLINIC: THE THERAPY PROGRAMME
The programme involves:
Education Patients are introduced to a ‘model of pain’ demonstrating its multiple factors. They can thus closely identify with this typical model so they can analyse their problem to get it into proper perspective.
Also, education lectures are incorporated into daily group sessions. The group sessions are designed not only to supply education regarding pain management, they also effectively give psychological support and a forum for direct psychological management of the patient’s psychological problems.
An Individual behaviourial programme This is aimed at increasing the quantity, and quality, of the patient’s daily activities. Another objective is to decrease any behaviour not helpful to the patient. Sometimes this behaviour has developed over a very long time, perhaps years.
The programme is then extended to the home, and work, environments during weekend leave and following discharge.
Marital and family therapy This is delivered through individual therapy sessions as well as for couples. The aim is to minimise the damaging effects of chronic pain on marital and family relationships.
Relaxation techniques All patients are trained in these techniques, involving hypnosis, self-hypnosis and progressive muscular relaxation where appropriate.
Individual relaxation tapes can be made. Biofeedback augmented relaxation techniques are also available if these are found to be more suitable. These include EMG or muscle feedback and temperature feedback where the skin temperature of the pain-affected part of the body can be modified as well.
Both of these are particularly useful for pain problejns related to blood vessel abnormalities such as migraine.
Occupational therapy This involves an assessment of the patient’s ability to function in his, or her, normal day-to-day activities and abilities. The patient is then educated in how to maintain as normal a lifestyle as possible, despite the pain.
Particular emphasis is given to leisure activity, self-care and creative activities which can be performed despite any apparent disabilities.
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