Pain Management Services

Persistent pain, whatever the cause, can take away your enjoyment of life. When it's not managed it can become physically disabling, leading to depression, loss of sleep, missed days at work and limiting your ability to functions. The emotional frustrations can be just as devastating.

At St Vincent's Brisbane we are proud to introduce our newly established Re-CHARGE for Life Program, specially designed to help people lead active, healthy, and satisfying lifestyles. Founded on and supported by the Australian Pain Society Guidelines, our rehabilitation pain management programs target pain on many fronts - providing help and, most importantly, hope for better living.

Understanding Pain, enabling lives

Our goal is not just to help you manage pain but to help restore your zest and enjoyment of life's activities.

The Re-CHARGE for Life Program embraces the modern way of effectively managing persistent pain; to empower the individual, helping you make positive choices and decisions about your own care. We take an evidence based approach to assessment and treatment, endorsing the approach that understanding pain is the first step to optimum management.

Research has shown that understanding what is going on in the body, and how it responds to long-standing pain, can improve your ability to cope and participate more easily in physical and functional activities.  When you feel better and are able to do more, you are likely to experience less ongoing pain and enjoy better quality of life.

RE-CHARGE for life

Our program focuses on improving your knowledge and understanding of persistent pain, whilst enhancing your ability to participate in everyday activities, regain physical skills and fitness, and develop positive coping strategies.

When you join our program, you will be an active participant in all aspects of your management plan. Extensive research has shown that getting involved in your own care is the most effective way to restore physical function, emotional wellbeing and participation in daily activities.

You will:

• Gain an in-depth understanding of pain and how the body works
• Improve your physical skills and exercise tolerance
• Develop alternate strategies to manage pain
• Enhance your participation in life's activities
• Develop confidence and feel better about yourself
• Develop a support network of like-minded people

The program will be tailored to meet your needs and will include:

• Individual assessment with each member of the team
• Individual physical exercise program
• Graded gym program
• Education program focusing on self management
• Relaxation classes
• Hydrotherapy and Tai Chi classes
• Psychological support

Group Sessions

Our program is run in small groups. It's been established that the support and encouragement found in a group helps participants develop effective coping strategies to manage their pain. You will also be offered individual one on one time with each member of the team, to help you work towards your goals.

Duration

The RE-CHARGE for life program is offered both full-time and part-time. The full-time program is an intensive 10 day program, run Monday to Friday, over two weeks. The part-time program is a 10 day day patient program, run over four weeks.

About the Team

A team of experienced health professionals will be working with you to achieve your goals. The team includes:

• Pain Management Coordinator
• Medical Pain Specialist(s)/Consultants in Rehabilitation
• Clinical Psychologist
• Physiotherapist
• Occupational therapist
• Clinical Nurse
• Social Worker

Suitability

Our RE-CHARGE for life programs are for people who:

• Have had pain for more than 3 months
• Have not responded to definitive surgical or medical treatments
• Have become reliant on medication to cope with their pain
• Have become distressed due to their pain and are having difficulty maintaining an active and independent lifestyle, including returning to work
• Have the cognitive capacity to benefit from education-based therapy, and are appropriate and willing to participate in a group environment

Contraindications for referral:

• Unmotivated/unwilling to attend
• Unstable/acute exacerbation of medical or psychiatric condition
• Significant behavioural disturbances affecting ability to interact appropriately in group setting
• Cognitive impairment impacting on ability to respond to education

Benefits of the programs

• Full comprehensive assessment with each healthcare professional
• Access to graded exercise program focusing on improved physical and functional outcomes, and safe and correct movement
• Access to a comprehensive cognitive/behavioural education program to enhance understanding of persistent pain, and develop coping strategies
• Improved self-management leading to reduced dependence on medical services
• Increased physical and occupational functioning resulting in earlier return to work and normal activities of daily living
• Post-discharge follow up support at three months and six months if required
• Full comprehensive discharge summary sent to referring practitioner and GP

Referral Process

A comprehensive referral may be forwarded to the Bookings Office on fax  (07) 3391 8902 or emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Or phone the Booking Office on (07) 32401213 for more details.

Referrals should include;

• Copies of relevant specialist reports

• Current care plans from the treating doctor

Once we have received a referral, we will contact you to arrange an assessment. This assessment will help our team determine a suitable pain management plan and tailor the service to your needs.

The program is available for individuals with appropriate funding cover. Funding bodies include DVA, relevant Private Health Cover, Work Cover and third party insurance. All cover is subject to prior approval.