Pain Rehabilitation Center in Minnesota

Resources For Physicians

The Mayo Pain Rehabilitation Center (PRC) runs three distinct programs based on a multidisciplinary cognitive-behavioral treatment model. The primary goal of PRC programs is to restore function and quality of life for people suffering from chronic pain. Patients whose chronic pain adversely impacts their mood, or causes them to experience a decline in life, personal, or work responsibilities, are ideal candidates for the programs.

The programs emphasize discontinuation of pain medications, including simple and opioid analgesics to treat chronic benign pain. Other important goals include:

• Return to regular daily activities
• Increase physical strength, stamina, and flexibility
• Reduce/eliminate use of pain medications
• Minimize pain behaviors
• Learn stress management techniques
• Return to gainful employment (if applicable)
• Resume leisure and recreational activities
• Improve interpersonal relationships
• Reduce reliance on health care professionals by improving the ability to self-manage chronic pain

During the evaluation appointment, PRC staff will assist the patient and referring provider in determining which program is most appropriate.

Referral Process

Admission to any Pain Rehabilitation Center program begins with a patient evaluation. Referring providers should contact the PRC at 507-255-1791 to begin the referral process.

During the evaluation process, Pain Rehabilitation Center staff will assess whether a rehabilitation approach is appropriate for the patient, and, if so, will help the patient decide which program might be more beneficial. Upon scheduling an admission date, Mayo staff will help determine insurance coverage.

The following criteria are used in the evaluation process:

Admission Criteria

• Chronic pain of sufficient severity to bring about significant dysfunction in daily social, vocational and interpersonal activities.
• Chronic pain duration of six months or more or clinical indication that pain of a shorter duration will likely manifest into a chronic condition.
• Adequate control over behavior; not judged to be imminently dangerous to self or others.
• Demonstration of adequate motivation to proceed with a rehabilitation approach to management of pain, which often implies awareness or acceptance that medical or surgical treatments are not a current option.

Exclusionary Criteria

• Unwillingness to discontinue use of pain medications, other psychotropic medications, or substances of abuse that would preclude meaningful participation in the program.
• Insufficient motivation to address the necessary components entailed in pain rehabilitation. These include medication management, physical and occupational therapy and group therapy.
• An acute physical condition or illness exists and the person's current treatment would preclude adequate participation in the program.

For questions, please contact the Pain Rehabilitation Center at 507-255-5921.

Referring Provider Follow-Up

Coordination with providers in the patient's local community is an integral part of a successful return to the home setting. Upon admission to the Pain Rehabilitation Center's three-week program, patients will be asked to specify a local provider(s) and sign an Authorization to Release Information to the provider(s). The patient's nurse coordinator will contact providers and communicate information about the PRC plan of care.

Providers authorized by patients to receive information will get a written dismissal summary outlining care during the program. Included in this summary will be the PRC treatment course, medication changes, laboratory tests and consults. The written summary will outline behavioral strategies the patient was taught for coping with chronic pain. The document will also address specific follow-up recommendations. PRC staff encourage a patient's provider(s) to discuss the rehabilitation program with the patient as reinforcement of the functional goals and progress accomplished during the program.

If indicated, a care conference may be held, either in person or via a telephone conference call. After the three-week program ends, PRC nurse coordinators are available for consultation with patients and health care providers.