Hello @mcd123, welcome to Connect. Thank you for joining the conversation about pain rehabilitation at the Mayo Clinic. You ask a great question, and my answer is a resounding, yes, rehab worked for me.

Mayo's Pain Rehab Center (PRC) set me up for success by helping me to look differently at the way I see, respond, and live with chronic pain, in the following ways:

1. A physical therapy (PT) plan designed to gradually help recondition my deconditioned body, a cardio routine in the form of walking and/or use of a therapeutic recumbent bike, and a morning stretch routine that gently works each joint from jaw to toe. I maintain this PT plan at home.

2. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions revealed the science of how the brain responds to chronic pain and the cognitive errors it makes. I learned how to catch and correct these errors. I learned coping mechanisms and tools for better emotional and behavioral stability including; self care, distraction, humor, forgiveness, grace, perspective, pause, etc...

3. Occupational therapy (OT) taught me how to use modification and moderation in every day life skills in order to achieve the best possible outcome for my body. Training in the use of proper ergonomics was very helpful, as was learning about proper nutrition and what feeds into pain verses helping it.

4. Gradually weaned off opiates, and other non-medically necessary medications, which only enhanced my pain.

5. Learned how to properly breath, calm and relax my body via bio- feedback sessions.

6. Schedule, schedule, schedule. The importance of scheduling my days as to hold myself accountable and apply all of the things I learned.

7. Developed a "difficult day" plan.

I hope my answer gives you insight as to how PRC has helped me live to the best of my abilities with chronic pain and symptoms.

What is your impression? Do you think Mayo PRC would be helpful to your situation?