Pain Rehabilitation Center in Minnesota

Family Group

Chronic pain affects the whole family, not just the person in pain. Those affected might include a spouse, partner, sibling, parent, children or others involved in a caring relationship. Often activities of daily life may be altered for the person in pain, resulting in additional responsibilities for others. Problems such as increased financial strain, miscommunication, resentment, confusion and isolation may arise. Often family and friends feel helpless about how to respond to their loved one with chronic pain. Participation in family group indicates a willingness to learn how to help a family member or friend better manage their chronic symptoms.

The PRC offers programming to help family and significant others better understand chronic pain and ways to assist loved ones in managing pain more effectively. Weekly group offerings include a one-hour presentation on topics such as the difference between acute and chronic pain, the elimination of pain behaviors, the use of moderation, the importance of regular physical exercise, the minimal use of pain medications, stress management, relaxation, and effective communication. Family group discusses the benefits of using a neutral response to pain behaviors instead of an overly caretaking or punishing response.

Families and friends may also participate in a one-hour group offering support and discussion of questions or concerns about PRC concepts and how to apply these concepts in a home setting. Family and friends often feel very helpless and frustrated when dealing with chronic pain issues. During this group, families have an opportunity to look at better ways to respond to chronic pain as well as learn techniques to care for themselves. A positive outcome for family or loved ones would be to reclaim their lives and minimize how pain controls the entire family.

At times when family members or friends cannot travel to attend the family group, the patient's nurse care coordinator can schedule phone conferences to further discuss how family or friends can support the patient's ongoing rehabilitation progress. The patient must give permission for the nurse care coordinator to provide this service.