The Chronic Pain Program can help you get back into life!

Nura’s Chronic Pain Program (CPP) is a widely respected, psychology-based treatment program with a proven track record of success noted in published outcome studies.

• Learn and practice skills to manage pain
• Increase physical function and return to work or other meaningful activities
• Improve coping skills and emotional well-being
• Reduce and minimize the use of opioids
• Maximize non-opioid methods of pain management
• Decrease the need for medical care for chronic pain.

The CPP meets six hours per day, Monday through Thursday, for four weeks at our Coon Rapids or Edina locations — consider it a part-time job for one month! Prior to admission, you will meet with a Nura psychologist, advanced practice provider and physical therapist to make sure the program is appropriate. Insurance coverage will be confirmed by our prior authorization department.

Chronic Pain Program in the News

Minnesota Medicine Magazine – MDH Demonstrations Projects

Chronic Pain Program Components

Land Exercises

Land exercise is a daily physical therapy session that includes strengthening/stabilization as well as stretching exercises. The core stabilization approach aims to increase strength and coordination of the lower abdominal, gluteal, lumbar and scapular stabilizing muscles. Emphasis is on strengthening in a neutral spine posture with carryover into functional activities. Stretching focuses on specific muscle techniques, incorporating most major muscle groups. Patients move toward increasing independence as the program progresses.

 

Therapeutic Pool Exercises

Pool exercise (a favorite) is a daily physical therapy session that focuses on increasing tolerance to activity, strength, flexibility and coordination. Pool temperature is approximately 98 degrees Fahrenheit with a saltwater medium. Saltwater is soothing and helpful for buoyancy purposes, and allows lower chlorine levels, which can be irritating to patients who are chemically sensitive.

Relaxation

Relaxation is a daily progressive muscle relaxation class in which you will learn to reduce stress through specialized breathing techniques, neuromuscular education and guided imagery. A relaxation CD will also be given to you for use at home. Group education topics include self-managing pain and stress, acceptance, nutrition, sleep, the nervous system and goal setting.

Education/Discussion Groups

Meeting in a group (typically three to eight patients), you and the other participants will learn and practice pain management skills, increase physical functioning and enhance emotional well-being. This group enables you to interact and connect with other chronic pain sufferers who can relate to your experience. Examples of coping skills topics include: depression management, improving self-worth, stress management, acceptance, goal setting, anger management and anxiety management. Psychologists, advanced practice providers (NP, PA), physical therapy staff and RN specialists lead this group.

Aftercare Program

Facilitated Aftercare Support Groups are held twice a month and are available for patients who successfully complete CPP.

To learn more about CPP and to determine eligibility, please call us at 763-537-6000 and ask to speak to a Chronic Pain Program coordinator or fill out the Contact Us form and we will call you!