PAIN MANAGEMENT For young people

Transcription

1 PAIN MANAGEMENT For young people

2 At St Vincent s Private Hospital we know how chronic pain can change your life. It can affect your ability to concentrate in school, go to work, participate in sport, socialise with friends and impact your relationship with your family. Understanding what is going on in your body and how it responds to longstanding pain, can improve your ability to cope and feel more in control. When you feel more confident and are able to return to normal everyday activities, you re likely to have less ongoing pain. At St Vincent s Private Hospital, we offer programs and services that can help you understand and manage your pain. They re suitable for people from 14 years. Chronic pain is ongoing pain that lasts for more than three months, or after the normal healing time following an accident or injury. Sometimes there is no cause or trigger. Often there are little or no visible signs, making it harder to be seen or understood.

3 How we can help We can help you to understand and manage your pain. We focus on helping you take control through a self-management approach. We want to help you to get back to doing the things you enjoy and strive for the future you want. Pain management programs We offer small group programs. Each one has up to six participants and everyone understands the challenges of living with chronic pain. Before you start a program, we ll work with you to find out what your goals are and develop a plan that helps you reach them. Your plan will have physical and learning activities. It will include: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, clinical psychology as well as social activities, exercise, relaxation and education sessions. Individual and family education sessions are an important part of our progams. You will have one-on-one time with a pain team member and so will your family. They will help you and your family learn about the complicating factors of pain, understand your treatment and how to reach your goals. Everyone is different. If you need help before or after you participate in a program, our pain team can provide individual support. We re here to help every step of the way.

4 We offer two programs: LEAP into Life 10 day pain management program It runs Monday to Friday during Queensland public school holidays. You can attend daily or as an inpatient depending on what s best for you. It can help to develop your awareness, understanding and management of pain. HOP Help Outside School Hours Pain management program It runs one afternoon a week after school during every Queensland public school term. It can help if you need support and guidance to better understand and manage your pain. Our team Our pain team will work with you and your family to help you gain the confidence and skills to manage your pain. We are an experienced and highly-qualified team of pain physicians, rehabilitation specialists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, clinial psychologists, clinical nurses and dieticians. The first step A referral to one of our pain physicians from your doctor is required. We will undertake a comprehensive assessment at your first visit. If you live in a regional area our telehealth services may be available. Our pain specialists use video conferencing technology to connect with you and your doctor. A detailed list of our pain physicians is available online at Our pain management programs and services are based on the Australian Pain Society Guidelines and use a treatment approach that is based on evidence. This evidence is that understanding pain is the first step to managing it.

5 It s about looking after you and helping yourself. You re not alone and it s okay to ask for help.

6 Further information For more information contact our Pain Services Manager directly, phone or 411 Main Street, Kangaroo Point Qld 4169 Phone: (07) Fax: (07) facebook.com/stvincentsprivatehospitalbrisbane TO BE UPDATED w