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Any experience with Residential Chronic Pain Treatment Programs?

Chronic Pain | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (38)
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@alh123

Great video . Thanks for sharing it . Is it really true that all types of chronic pain end up going down the same common pathway in terms of treatment in a program like this ?
I have a very “ peripheral “ pain diagnosis ie a post surgical saphenous nerve neuralgia. It has put me in the classic chronic pain disaster mode described in the video but by the central / peripheral pain model , my pain is mainly peripheral . The reason is that a specific nerve in my leg can be tapped / touched / stretched etc to cause my pain , plus it can be completely blocked with 5 cc of local anesthetic . Cruelly , after 11 years , they still can’t turn it off .
So despite this peripheral nature of my pain , does the fact that I still must have some central component , put me in the same boat with every other chronic pain patient …ie im not special , you’ve seen it before ?

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Replies to "Great video . Thanks for sharing it . Is it really true that all types of..."
Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Jun 22, 2022

I honestly sat in pain rehab class and wondered the same thing. Do all types of chronic pain end up going down the same common pathway in terms of a treatment program?

In class we are advised to not talk about our symptoms with each other privately or in class as it's a pain behavior. You never figure out completely why each person is there. You might pick up on little hints through questions a person asks in class, but by the end of the program, you realize that we are all pretty much in the same boat.

My take away was that Mayo's pain rehabilitation is not rocket science and really does apply to people suffering from a variety of causes and chronic symptoms. Granted each person may not check every symptom box on the diagram of central and peripheral systems, but chronic is described as lasting for 3 months or longer, pain that can come and go, and be anywhere in your body. Because chronic can lead to stress, anxiety, depression and trouble sleeping, it can make pain worse. This leads to the cycle of pain which is difficult to break. Failed treatments, emotional distress and deconditioning are among important criteria of acceptance at PRC.

I am not medically trained and am no expert, but do believe that yes you most likely do have some central component and are in the same boat. In fact Dr. Sletten reminds us in class that we are all unique, but noone is special.

I hope this helps to answer your question. You're welcome for the video. You are doing a great job of advocating for yourself by researching options and opportunities. Thank you for posting about your findings in Arizona, and England too! I'm sure it will be helpful to others in their quest. Keep up the good job. Will you update me on any final decisions you make?

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