News

Fighting pain with IMPACT

Jul 26, 2017

Former police officer Tony Benson had been suffering from chronic pain for 15 years when he joined the I.M.P.A.C.T. Pain Management Program at Greenslopes Private Hospital.

Independent Management of Pain through Activity and Cognitive Therapy (I.M.P.A.C.T.) helps patients manage their chronic pain more effectively and improve their physical and functional capabilities.

“During the program individuals are guided through a graded return to exercise and activities program where they are supervised at all times to ensure correct movement and posture techniques,” said Allied Health Manager Marie Duffy.

The program provides a comprehensive evidence-based education program to reinforce positive self-management strategies so people can maintain active and independent lifestyles.

Sessions involve a multi-disciplinary team made up of a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, psychologist, social worker, clinical nurse, and dietitian.

Patients like Mr Benson are taught strategies such as pacing, exercise, and mindfulness techniques – which have reported benefits including reductions in medications.

Greenslopes Private Hospital pain medicine specialist Dr Mark Tadros said chronic pain was very common, with about one in five people suffering from it.

“The point at which you’d want to see a doctor or get a referral to a specialist is when it starts to significantly impact on your life – for example, you’re unable to work or socialise,” said Dr Tadros.

“The important lesson to take away is that if you do have chronic pain and it’s affecting your life in a significant way, there is hope and you can get better if given the right advice.”

Research conducted in 2015 found civilians and veterans who completed the I.M.P.A.C.T. Pain Management Program reported significantly reduced levels of depression, anxiety and stress.

“Both groups also displayed clinical improvement following completion of the I.M.P.A.C.T. program. They were more confident about managing life activities and had higher satisfaction levels,” said Ms Duffy.

National Pain Week runs from 24 – 30 July 2017 with the theme “Let’s Manage Pain Together”.

To find out more about our Pain Management Program, click here.