Hi Ron, The main goal of the program is returning the patient to the highest possible level of function, and if possible, getting them back to work. It is not at all like work hardening/conditioning though... the level of exercise is much less. I work a lot on strengthening and conditioning, and also on increased positional tolerance - sitting, standing, and walking. It's a full body/mind program, so they don't just concentrate on the injured area. I do give them some exercises specific to their particular injury though. I do things like art, crafts, and games to work on sitting tolerance... it occupies the patient's mind and works to distract them from their pain. I also have them do more active games... darts and modified volleyball and badminton (we use a punching balloon because it's large and moves slower) for standing tolerance. We even go for walks outside, weather permitting. We also have aquatics. I try to find things that will get them involved and laughing, even playing games I picked up a baby showers like races where they have to walk across the room with a potato between their knees and drop it in a cup without using their hands (if you are a man, don't ask). I try to make it as fun for them as possible.
I do team building exercises with them, and we sometimes have sessions where they will do collages depicting how they feel now on what side, and their goals on the other side, and then we discuss why they chose the pictures they did. this population is dealing with a lot of depression and tend to isolate themselves, so I do activities where they have to interact and work together toward a common goal. For the most part the counselors and psychologist deal with the mental/emotional part of the program though. Pat At 04:15 PM 7/26/2006, you wrote: >Hello Pat: > >In response to your below message, I would like to know a little bit >more about the nature (i.e. goals) of your program. Maybe a little >more info will better help us. > >Thanks, > >Ron > > > I work in a chronic pain clinic. The patients are there 40 hours a week > > for six weeks (which usually stretches out because they have to make up > > absences). I have the group for 5-6 hours a day. The rest of the time > > they are doing biofeedback, acupuncture, pilates, yoga, nutrition > class, or > > are in a counseling session. I am always challenged to come up with a > > variety of activities for them! They are there for a wide range of > > injuries so I try to find activities that will fit everyone. > > > > In the past I have posted to this group looking for suggestions but didn't > > get much response.... if anyone cares to make some suggestions and start > > another thread that would be great! > > > > Pat > > > >-- >Unsubscribe? > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >Change options? > www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com > >Archive? > www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > >Help? > [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Unsubscribe? [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] Help? [EMAIL PROTECTED]
