Inpatient Pain Rehabilitation Program

The Inpatient Pain Rehabilitation Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is an intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment program for youth with debilitating chronic pain. The program’s main goal is functional restoration. Participation accelerates recovery and helps youth return to their activities of daily living including school and recreational activities.

Our experts use a biopsychosocial model to help children cope with discomfort and start healing. Our interdisciplinary team helps more patients return to school, activities, family life and the joys of childhood.

Inpatient Pain Rehabilitation: Why Choose Us

The Inpatient Pain Rehabilitation Program in is a collaboration between our experts in Pain Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine. These specialists work together with a interdisciplinary team to guide your child’s care. Our biopsychosocial model uses comprehensive therapies that address biological, psychological and social aspects of chronic pain.

Highlights of our program include:

  • Team approach: The best inpatient rehabilitation for chronic pain uses an integrated, multidisciplinary approach, which is precisely what you’ll find at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Our team includes all the chronic pain specialists your child may need. Your child benefits from the coordinated recommendations of pediatric psychologists, pain medicine doctors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, Child Life specialists, acupuncturists and more.
  • Personalized care: Each child experiences chronic pain and recovery differently. Our experts identify your child’s unique needs and use this information to tailor therapies. The team is in regular communication throughout rehabilitation, making it easier to adjust therapies to your child’s changing needs. We also understand that chronic pain impacts a patient’s entire family, so parents and caregivers meet with a child’s care team to learn how to help support their child.

Is the Inpatient Pain Rehab Program Right for My Child?

The first step to determine eligibility for the program is an interdisciplinary evaluation in our Pain Medicine Clinic. Assessments focus on determining if the program meets the needs of the patient. These thorough assessments help determine your child’s eligibility for the program and set the foundation for exceptional care.

Our inpatient rehabilitation team helps your child get relief from chronic pain with therapies that relieve pain and teach coping and independence skills. It is for children and young adults ages 7 to 19 with ongoing or episodic pain due to medical conditions, including:

  • Arthritis and other autoimmune disorders
  • Complex regional pain syndrome
  • Headache disorders, such as migraines
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Musculoskeletal conditions
  • Chronic primary pain

Our Biopsychosocial Model for Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is typically impacted by a combination of factors that are different for each person. Our Inpatient Pain Rehabilitation Program team uses a biopsychosocial model that addresses all these factors:

  • Biological: Genetics, brain chemistry, hormones, diseases, injuries and other stressors
  • Psychological: fear of pain, pain-related distress, emotional well-being, coping strategies
  • Social: Early life experience, family and peer relationships

Inpatient Pain Rehabilitation Program: What to Expect

Patients are treated by an interdisciplinary group of experts who teach youth how to work through and cope with their pain. Daily schedules are modeled after a fully functional day to restore ability and confidence to return to school and daily activities. The program is designed to improve pain management education, physical functioning, sleep and pain related fear and stress. The program duration is tailored to each patient’s needs and typically ranges between 3 to 4 weeks.

You are welcome to visit during your child’s stay during visiting hours. We reserve time each day for families to be together.

Sample Daily Schedule

6:45 am: Wake up, breakfast, get ready
8:30 am: Wellness activity (examples: yoga, meditation, walks, etc.)
9:00 am: Occupational therapy
10:00 am: Physical therapy
11:00 am: Pain Focused Psychotherapy
12:00 pm: Lunch
1:00 pm: School
2:00 pm: Group physical therapy
3:00 pm: Acupuncture
3:30 pm: Recreational therapy
4:00 pm: Child Life/social time
5:00 pm: Parents return/relaxation time
6:00 pm: Dinner
7:00 pm: Evening family time/practice therapy exercises
8:00pm: Parents leave, get ready for bed
9:00 pm: Relaxation time
10:00 pm: Bedtime

Transition Services

After completing the program, patients will participate in a step-down program to maintain the progress they have made and receive graduated support during transition back to home, school and daily activities. It can include weekly psychotherapy, occupational and physical therapies for approximately four weeks. In addition, patients will be seen for follow-up in Pain Medicine Clinic.

Meet Our Team

Program Directors

  • Alvina Rosales, PhD, Pediatric Psychology
  • Eugene Kim, MD, Pain Medicine, Anesthesiology
  • Kevan Craig MD, (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation)

Psychologists

  • Alyson Hermé, PhD
  • Alvina Rosales, PhD

Child Life Specialist

  • Alexandra Rogers

Acupuncturist

  • Monika Kobylecka

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