Pain Rehabilitation Center in Minnesota

Pediatric Pain Rehabilitation Program

The three-week Pediatric Pain Rehabilitation Program is for adolescents with chronic pain. Although similar to the three-week program for adults, this program also addresses the additional challenges that face adolescents who have chronic pain. Adolescents participate as a group. All group members begin the program on the same day and graduate together. Teenagers with chronic pain are often not active in school, and a group setting can help them develop better social relationships.

In addition to core pain management concepts such as stress management and chemical health education, the pediatric program covers topics specific to teens and from a teenage point of view, such as:

• Education on autonomic nervous system dysfunction
• Managing a difficult day
• Return to school planning
• Leisure and recreation
• Personal responsibility

Adolescents whose chronic pain negatively impacts their functioning or mood are candidates for the program. Common types of chronic pain seen in this program are postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, headache/migraine, generalized pain, abdominal pain and complex regional pain syndrome. Nearly any site of chronic pain can be addressed in the program.

Three-week sessions are conducted throughout the year, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. An additional one to three days of preadmission evaluations are required prior to admission to the program. During the evaluation appointment, staff at Mayo Clinic's Pain Rehabilitation Center will assist you and your family in scheduling a session and starting the necessary insurance approvals.

Parent Program

Because pain has a great impact on all family members, the adolescent program also includes a daily morning session for parents. Other family members and siblings are also welcome to attend. Parents learn more about chronic pain, ways to respond effectively and how to lessen the impact of chronic pain on the family.