Functional restoration and chronic pain management

Chronic pain conditions are poorly understood and difficult to treat often leaving the physician frustrated and the patient severely compromised, physically as well as emotionally. While there are a host of treatments available, traditional approaches, such as surgery, injections, medications, etc., have not been found to produce long-term relief or "cure" for chronic pain patients. Psychosocial distress, physical deconditioning, secondary gains and losses, and medication issues that are often present can complicate the presentation of patients with chronic pain. Therefore, this stage of treatment is much more complex and demanding of health-care professionals. The present article discusses active, interdisciplinary functional restoration approaches which have historically and empirically been considered a critical and necessary component of interdisciplinary chronic pain management programs. Functional restoration emphasizes active treatment approaches emphasizing education, physical activity and emotional stabilization with the goal and ideal of maximum rehabilitation in all aspects of the patient's life.