The Bay Area Pain & Wellness Center provides the highest quality pain management and Functional Restoration Services in Northern California. We are an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, psychologists, marriage and family therapists and wellness instructors whose goals are to restore function, health and well being. By becoming the only CARF accredited functional restoration center in Northern California, we have committed ourselves to providing the highest quality pain treatment and functional restoration services for our patients and other partners in health care. Some people do not respond well or do not completely recover from standard outpatient medical care such as medicines, physical therapy, interventions or surgery. Patients in our current medical system are often left with significant disability and impairments that make returning to work or life a challenge. Evidence based medical studies have shown that treating these patients with integrated, interdisciplinary care plans can often succeed in restoring function, self esteem and sense of well being. Functional Restoration has now been recognized as an important treatment modality in cases of impending chronic disability. The ACOEM guideline strongly endorses their use in treating patients who have not responded to, or have had complications from traditional care. Functional Restoration Programs treat the whole person and focus on return of function, minimizing disability and impairment, and returning people to productive lives. The Bay Area Pain & Wellness Center provides expert consultation to identify each individual’s specific needs. Plans are brought forward with clear treatment goals established. Treatment focuses on restoring control of pain with fewer or no medicines, re-educating people how to move, breath, and manage stress or chronic disease for a lifetime of health and the ability to enjoy their careers once again. By teaching people that they can be active without fearing pain and without the use of chronic narcotics, crutches or braces, we bring people back to life. It is well documented that the longer someone is in poor health, the harder it is to accomplish these goals. Historically, patients were not referred for functional restoration until all other traditional medical care had been exhausted. We were often seen as a “last resort” in the lineage of care provided. For our patients from 2001 through 2006, the average length of disability was three to five years from the date of injury. Many had undergone multiple surgeries and were habituated to medicines that were rarely in their best interest. We developed our original programs to successfully treat this population. Still, it has been our hope that with continued education to patients and payers that we become an integral part of the initial medical care plan. We feel strongly that with EARLY INTERVENTION we can prevent the onset of chronic impairment and avoid unnecessary medical procedures or expenditures. There currently exists screening tools to identify those patients who might not do as well with traditional medical care. These screening tools can be used at the onset of an injury and the patient so identified can be given more specialized care. Our Early Intervention Program is designed to treat patients within the first year of an injury. The earlier we can become involved, the easier and less costly it is to make real and lasting changes for patients. By combining physical rehabilitation, drug detoxification and education in healthy alternatives with medications for pain control, patients can gain control of their pain, and return to a meaningful and fulfilling lifestyle. Patients referred for Early Intervention are seen for consultation by a board certified pain medicine physician, a doctorate level physical therapist, and a doctor in psychology. Together, with the patient, payer and other concerned parties, a goal directed, individualized treatment plan is established. Transitioning off of opioids can be accomplished either before or during the rehabilitation process. Patients are given extensive education about alternatives to managing pain with fewer or no medicines. Treatment length is variable, but can last between one to six weeks. During treatment, patient progress is monitored daily, with on site physicians available to help where needed. Weekly progress reports are generated. When treatment goals are met, treatment stops. If patients fail to progress as expected, treatment goals are adjusted or treatment is discontinued. In this way we feel confident that the patient’s experience during treatment remains individualized and directed towards a successful outcome for all parties. The goal is always centered on excellent patient care. In healthcare, how often do we say, “I wish I could have prevented that from happening.” Here we have a clear choice and alternative to offer patients who might be better treated outside of the typical doctor’s office. Patients do have an alternative to chronic narcotics, endless prescriptions for physical therapy, or repetitive injections or surgeries. By providing high quality, focused, integrated health care early, we can positively change the outcome for many people. The key is Early Intervention. Patients may be eligible for the EIP if: — They have had pain for 6-12 months — Acute surgery is not required — They do not have an unstable psychiatric condition — They are not on high doses of opioid medications — The are committed to returning back to work and an active lifestyle |
