PRESS RELEASE
from the Texas Back Institute

TEXAS BACK INSTITUTE INTRODUCES PROGRAM TO HELP PATIENTS MANAGE CHRONIC PAIN

PLANO, TEXAS – April 25, 2006 - Texas Back Institute (TBI) aims to relieve pain and pocketbooks with its new chronic pain management program, Conquer Pain Effectively (CoPE). The four-week program is designed to help patients improve physical functioning and reduce pain medication usage by teaching strategies that help with pain while strengthening emotional stability and sense of emotional well being. The CoPE program integrates physical exercise and conditioning, pain coping strategies, education, counseling and vocational readiness and referral.

          “Using medication to manage chronic pain provides only temporary relief,” said Andrew R. Block, Ph.D., a psychologist and head of the CoPE program at Texas Back Institute. “CoPE offers to teach patients the skills they need to manage their pain without medication in order to return to work and lead a fuller lifestyle.”

Studies show that chronic pain affects nearly 70 million Americans in their daily lives, and chronic pain treatment costs an average of $100 billion per year in lost productivity, workdays and Workers’ Compensation.

           Nene Carpenter Ross, a 43-year-old African-American woman, is one of many who had lost hope after suffering a back injury as a result of falling through a collapsed table in July 2005 while working as a retail merchandiser.

Wanting to avoid surgery at all costs, Ross was treated with a steroid regimen and was prescribed a six-week physical therapy program, neither of which effectively alleviated her pain. Unable to participate with her family in the tasks of daily living, she remained bedridden throughout the Christmas holidays and had “written herself off.”

During this extended period of inactivity, Ross spiraled deeper into her pain and depression and gained 45 pounds. Finally, Ross’ doctor referred her to the CoPE program at TBI, where she quickly discovered that there was more to the program than treating symptoms.

            “They (TBI CoPE physicians, therapists and staff) treat the mind, body and soul so that you learn to cope with all aspects of your injury and pain,” said Ross. “You are able to overcome the physical disabilities… by their incredible combination of care and treatment methods.”

            When Ross began the program in February, she was unable to walk on the treadmill for a full minute. After completing the four-week program, she is now able walk for more than 30 minutes and has lost more than 20 pounds.

“They had the confidence in me that I did not have for myself. I was dying inside and they gave me back what money cannot buy,” said Ross.

Participants entering the program take an initial functional capacity evaluation (FCE), which measures a person’s physical and potential ability to perform work. The medical director, a psychologist or licensed professional counselor and an occupational therapist also perform additional evaluations. Information from the evaluation is then used to establish unique treatment plans and weekly goals for each patient.

“No single health specialist holds the key to relief from chronic pain,” said Richard D. Guyer, M.D., spine surgeon and president of Texas Back Institute. “Our CoPE program takes a multidisciplinary approach to managing chronic pain and the impact it has on patients’ lives.” Chronic pain not only affects how a person feels physically, but also mentally and emotionally.

Adds Block, “Chronic pain diminishes a person’s ability to concentrate, work, exercise, socialize and sleep. It’s no surprise that depression is a common reaction to chronic pain.”

Treatments are individually designed to meet the needs identified in the initial evaluations and are adjusted as patients progress through the program. Daily treatments include physical therapy, educational group sessions, individual psychotherapy and relaxation exercises.

“Several factors determine how a person experiences pain. Pain is a combination of emotions, experience, spirit and sensation. Each person experiences pain differently,” said Block.  “This is what makes our program unique, through the series of treatments and evaluations, we are able to gauge a person’s ability to graduate from the program on a case-by-case basis.”

A final FCE is performed before completion of the program to identify specific limitations that may remain. The CoPE staff also assists patients in finalizing vocational plans to help prepare them for their new life.

Although CoPE is a fairly new program, its highly qualified team has already witnessed dramatic results in patients’ lives, such as Ross.  Through the program, Ross has experienced enhanced functional ability, emotional improvement and the elimination of pain medications.

“When I came to the program, I was broken both physically and mentally. Only God knows where I would be had I not come into the CoPE program,” said Ross. “If you are like me and you are drowning in your own pain and depression, you have to offer up your hand to get help.”

Texas Back Institute

Texas Back Institute (TBI) is one of the largest freestanding spine specialty clinics in the United States. The Institute, based in Plano, Texas, was established in 1978 and provides comprehensive medical care for individuals with back and neck pain. TBI is a back care leader specializing in spinal arthroplasty minimally invasive spine surgery, spinal deformation and spinal oncology care. As an academic health care organization, TBI has trained hundreds of physicians, scientists and allied health professionals. Its research institution employs state-of-the-art technology and research to treat patients and is involved in the most clinical trials of artificial discs. TBI’s professional staff includes board-certified spine surgeons, general surgeons, internists, chiropractors, physiatrists, pain specialists, exercise physiologists and a team of physical and occupational therapists. Texas Back Institute’s main office is located in Plano, with offices in Denton, Fort Worth, Greenville, Garland, Hurst, Midland, TX and Phoenix, AZ. For more information, visit www.texasback.com.

MEDIA CONTACT
For more information, contact Meredith Falke, (214) 891-7795 meredith_falke@richards.com

Consumer phone number: 1-800-247-BACK