About the Restore Program

Pain Management Assessment; to identify the physical, psychological, social and environmental factors that are contributing to the individual's experience of pain, with written recommendations on interventions that will reduce the suffering and barriers that will interfere with recovery.

'RESTORE' Pain Management Program; 45 hours over an 8-week period of evidence based, active learning content to enable participants to understand their pain, understand themselves and acquire the necessary skills and confidence to instigate and sustain therapeutic change in order to maximize their own management of their pain. Includes Individual Pain Management Plan and Completion Report forwarded to all parties.

 

There is often no cure for pain and disability...
We all grow up believing that modern medicine will 'fix' us when we are unwell. Those of us who have, or work with people who experience chronic pain and disability know that this often does not happen. Yet repeatedly we witness or initiate repeated medical assessments in an attempt to find that solution.

But we do know why it happens...
Medical science does now know that the most reliable predictors of prolonged pain and disability are psychological and psychosocial factors. These factors are numerous and at times complex, they are a both a consequence of, and contributors to the distress and interference that chronic pain and disability cause not only to the individual but also to their family, employer, colleagues and friends. Chronic pain and disability are most effectively explained and managed by the Bio psychosocial Model of Pain.

And how to gain relief...
Research over many years has revealed the key physical, psychological, social and environmental factors (Bio psychosocial factors) that contribute to prolonged pain and disability, and has confirmed that ignoring these factors leads to increased symptoms, distress and disability.

Comprehensive, multi-disciplinary health care programs, with a cognitive-behavioral approach, have been successful for many years in assisting individuals to understand their pain, understand themselves and acquire the necessary skills and confidence to instigate and sustain therapeutic change in order to maximize their own management of their pain.

However successful self-management of pain requires changes to ways of thinking, moving and behaving and these changes can only be sustained with adequate time, commitment and support from professionals, family and workplace.

 

What makes the 'RESTORE' Pain Management Program successful?

  • The 'RESTORE' team have many years of experience and expertise in their respective professions of occupational therapy, rehabilitation counseling, physiotherapy and clinical psychology.

 

  • The 'RESTORE' assessment, program and outcomes measures are all evidence-based and the 'RESTORE' team maintains contact with leaders in international research into pain management.

  • The goal of 'RESTORE' is to help pain sufferers live their lives with success and freedom by regaining a sense of control over their lives rather than focusing on control over pain.

 

  • The 'RESTORE' program draws on participants' own motivations, perceptions, goals and values to encourage insight, understanding and to facilitate change.

 

  • 'RESTORE' is community-based not hospital-based. People learn and integrate the skills to manage their pain while continuing to attend to their usual responsibilities.

  • The 'RESTORE' program totals 45 hours of inter-disciplinary therapeutic intervention (attending to all the physical, psychological, psychosocial needs), at approximately half the cost of individual allied health treatment sessions.

 

  • The role of the group dynamics in this intensive learning situation is invaluable; participants both challenge and support each other within the context of specific course content.

  • The 8-week program includes individually targeted skill application and goal setting, with emphasis on either increasing work capacity or increased independence through medication reduction. Goals and action are determined collaboratively, including through communication with treatment and rehabilitation providers and employer and insurer as appropriate

 

  • The 'RESTORE' program promotes self-management, which will reduce future use of health care services, medication and further therapy.

  • Each participant writes, and is therefore committed to, their own individual Pain Management Plan.

 

  • The 'RESTORE' team is committed to ensuring that participants develop satisfactory pain management skills and understands how difficult this process is, therefore we provide ongoing cost-free support services to all participants. These services include a monthly newsletter with pain management tips, and email and telephone support as required.

 

How to register for 'RESTORE'...

And for further details, contact 'RESTORE' Program Coordinator, Wendy Sinclair, on 89413211 or email. A new 'RESTORE' program commences approximately every 10-12 weeks with a maximum of 9 participants only.

And then there is more...

The 'RESTORE' Durability Program is available for people who are experiencing prolonged persistent pain, and have already attended a multi-disciplinary pain management program such as 'RESTORE', and require ongoing therapeutic intervention to ensure pain and disability management skills are maintained in the long term. This program is based on skills-focused refresher sessions held each month over a 6-month period.

 

'RESTORE' Pain Management Program OUTCOMES

Results from the programs' outcome measures demonstrate that participants achieve reduced reported pain levels, reduced reliance on medication, increased sense of feeling in control, increased physical capacity, increased mental health and increased confidence to undertake home and work tasks, increased work readiness and work capacity.

 

Recent analysis of work outcomes for program participants over 3 years, revealed the following information:

 

  • 87 people had been referred with a work outcome required

  • 82% of those people were referred later than 12 months after their injury

  • 60% were referred later than 2 years post injury

  • 53% were at work to some degree at program commencement

  • 76% were at work within 12 months post program

  • 87% achieved a work capacity upgrade

  • All participants made physical and psychological gains that enhanced their readiness for work.

 

Participant Comments:

 

  • 'RESTORE' has given me the tools to manage not just pain but life." - 48 year old man with chronic pain following a whiplash injury.

 

  • "I feel this program has certainly improved my life and for the first time since the accident I feel confident of having a life despite pain." -  31 year old woman with chronic arm pain.

 

  • "RESTORE enabled me to look and think about living with pain in a more positive way." -  46 year old woman with Fibromyalgia.

 

  • "Learning to think differently was really important for me, I no longer get angry or depressed. this program has turned my life around." - 42 year old man with persistent back pain following a work injury.
     

  • "This program has helped a lot, I can carry a larger workload now." - 22 year old man with persistent pain following a work related neck injury

 

Frequently asked questions about 'RESTORE'.