The NFTP Pain Management Program at the
Houston Rehabilitation Institute

What we do
Who the team members are
What we can do together
Who benefits from our program

What we do

The NFTP Pain Management Program at Houston Rehabilitation Institute offers comprehensive evaluations and inpatient and outpatient services to individuals who experience chronic pain and who have not responded to traditional medical and/or surgical interventions. In addition, the experience of pain continues to interfere with their psychosocial, physical, and vocational functioning. The program acknowledges chronic pain as a complex set of problems and offers interdisciplinary evaluation, treatment, and education within a structured clinical environment. Our program alms at assisting people who suffer from chronic pain to better cope with their condition and increase the level of independent functioning in their home, community, and work environment.

Houston Rehabilitation Institute is committed to providing quality services and establishes methods to evaluate patient and program outcomes to identify opportunities, which enhance the integration of coping and functioning with pain.

The individual participating in the management of chronic pain will be expected to comply with:

• physician evaluation
• psychologist and/or psychotherapist evaluation, completion of testing, etc
• physical therapy evaluation and exercise program, which will include aerobic conditioning, such as walking, biking, stretching, and general exercises
• occupational therapy evaluation, instruction on proper body mechanics and posture, pacing, sitting, standing, compensatory strategies, functional techniques to accomplish daily routines as well as assigned exercise program
• providing their own child care
• assuming responsibility for transportation arrangements

Who the team members are

The interdisciplinary treatment team members include:

Physician
Psychiatrist
Psychologist
Psychotherapist
Rehabilitation Nurses
Dietitian
Occupational Therapist
Physical Therapist
Outpatient Coordinator
Case Manager
Pharmacist

The patient is evaluated, treated, and his/her progress is continually monitored by the interdisciplinary treatment team. This experienced rehabilitation team, in alliance with the patient, works together to ensure that each patient achieves his or her highest possible potential while in the program. The patient is a vital participant in this team since motivation and cooperation greatly influence program success. Each patient's current status and progress is evaluated, and an individual discharge plan is developed.

What we can do together

The NFTP Pain Management Program at the Houston Rehabilitation Institute will:

• Increase your ability to handle pain so that you can tolerate it and deal with it better.
• Increase your level of useful activity so that you can return to a productive lifestyle.
• Decrease behaviors associated with pain such as complaining, taking nerve and pain pills, lying in bed or staying inactive, and avoiding other people.
• Teach you about pain medication and reduce or eliminate the use of these medications.
• Reduce the need and use of medical services.
• Improve your family and interpersonal relationships.
• Return to work, continue with a work conditioning program or refer you for a vocational rehabilitation services.

By fully participating in our program we expect that you will notice your pain levels decreasing as your activity level increases.

Individualized care

At NFTP's Pain Management Program at the Houston Rehabilitation Institute, we realize that pain differs between our patients. Therefore, each patient's treatment program is specifically tailored to meet individual needs and goals. The program provides inpatient and outpatient treatment with a typical length of four weeks, but this length is variable, depending upon each patient's needs.

During his/her treatment, the patient is involved in an intensive, structured program that not only treats the physical problem but also assists in dealing with emotional, pharmacological, and psychosocial aspects of chronic pain. The program provides the necessary structure and methods for patients to engage in a more healthy and independent lifestyle.

Education

Educational classes are offered to all chronic pain patients in order to provide an opportunity to discuss their concerns and ask questions regarding individual problems. The goals of the classes are to provide information pertaining to factors contributing to chronic pain, to facilitate progress toward individual goals,and to prevent relapse and or re-injury.

Topics include: back anatomy and care pain perception, medication usage and effects, controlling stress and improving interpersonal skills.

Our team utilizes cognitive-behavioral perspective, which provides a framework for understanding each individual's reaction to pain as it emphasizes the reciprocal interaction between cognitive, affective, and behavioral components. This integrative treatment and educational perspective takes into consideration the individual's beliefs, attitudes, and thinking style to help mediate physical, emotional, and behavioral responses.

Who benefits from our program

Those who benefit from our program (and the admission requirements are):

• Individuals who are medically stable.
• Individuals who experience pain in excess of 3-6 months due to an accident-related injury or an illness.
• Individuals who are not candidates for surgical intervention or have remedial pain following surgery. (3-6 months post-surgery)
• Individuals with no active debilitating psychiatric disorders or cognitive impairments that would impede the rehabilitation process.
• Individuals not presently abusing illicit drugs or alcohol.  If treatment for chemical dependency has occurred recently, the individual must be participating in appropriate support groups to remain chemically free.
• Individuals who are experiencing pain that interferes with psychosocial, physical, and vocational functioning.
• Individuals who are motivated and willing to become active participants in their treatment process.
• Individuals who function at a supervisory level of activity.
• Individuals who have completed any and all medical interventions and/or doctor's appointments for the month of their admission to the program.
• Individuals who have been prescribed participation in the program by their physician.

Assessment procedure

Before entry into the program, a three step assessment is completed to determine the patient's ability to benefit from the program.

• A physician conducts a thorough examination of the patient. This examination and all pertinent information, such as x-rays, lab work, history, and physicals, will determine if the patient is referred for therapy evaluation for the pain program.
• A one- or two-day initial assessment is completed, which may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and counseling.
• Once the team determines that the patient would benefit from the program, the patient will be scheduled to meet with a member of the counseling department to review the rehabilitation process, the patient's treatment plan and goals, determined by evaluation, and the program requirements and agreement.

Discharge criteria

Patients will be discharged by the team's decision when one or more of the following criteria have been met:

• The individual has demonstrated significant progress in the treatment program and his/her reactivation goals have been achieved.
• The individual demonstrates no further progress with regard to the previously defined treatment goals, as determined by the team over a continuous two week period.
• The individual is no longer willing to be an active participant in the program.
• The individual experiences a major intervening surgical, medical, and/or psychological problem that precludes benefit from continued involvement in the rehabilitation program.
• Three unexcused absences will necessitate physician review of the case and may subject patient to premature discharge.

How to be part of the program

Patients can be referred into the program by the National Foundation for the Treatment of Pain, by themselves, their physician, insurance carrier, or employer. However, a physician's prescription is required to begin the program. The Admissions Department will, upon receipt of prescription, schedule the evaluation, collect medical records, review insurance, and obtain authorization. The patient's prescribing and supervising physician can be one of Houston Rehabilitation Institute's pain specialists or their own regular physician. The outpatient coordinator will maintain communications between the patient, referral source, and the hospital.

For more information on the program, call 281.893-4111 Ext/ 258, and request to speak with the outpatient coordinator.