Office Location Location: 85 Seymour Street, Suite 11 Hartford, CT Telephone: 860.545.9997 Fax: 860.545.8331 Contact Person Nancy Bright, RN E-mail nbright@ccmckids.org

It is helpful for us to review any summary reports or letters from providers who have been involved with your child’s chronic pain problem. This information helps us provide a thorough evaluation and comprehensive recommendations.

Available services:
Whenever possible, we try to connect children with therapy services near their community. However, we recognize that some facilities are not specialized to work with children or with complicated chronic pain issues.

Besides traditional medical management, psychotherapy and physical therapy at CCMC, we offer complementary therapies of acupuncture, biofeedback and yoga classes for teens. Massage therapy, Reike and other complementary therapies may be recommended as necessary.

School problems may also be associated with chronic pain. We believe that regular school attendance is vital to a child’s well being and are well versed in how to guide parents through the educational regulations. The Special Kids Support Center at CCMC is a resource that can be also provide service for children with school problems.

Psychological Services
Children with chronic pain often experience problems with anxiety, depression and sleep. A psychologist can teach health promotion skills such as relaxation and meditation, and help a child learn to cope with issues that concern them. Establishing good sleep habits may be another focus of a mental health provider during individual therapy. Children who have had an extended absence from school due to health related issues and pain often find returning to school overwhelming. Guidance from a psychologist can ensure that that the transition back to school will be a positive experience.

Psychological services at CCMC can be discussed at the Pain Relief Program evaluation.

Physical Therapy
The health benefits of exercise are well documented. For children who experience pain, activity tends to be limited and they often need a bit of structure to begin exercising. An exercise program prescribed for a physical therapy setting may be one of the cornerstones of treatment for children with chronic pain. The physical therapist can serve as a coach to help a child increase his or her activity level.

Traditional physical therapy services are available at CCMC. Affiliate locations in Glastonbury and Avon offer aquatic therapy in a warm water pool.

To arrange for physical therapy consultation and appointments, please call 860.545.8600.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used as a part of traditional Chinese medicine for over 5,000 years. It is appropriate for a variety of medical purposes ranging from the prevention and treatment of disease to relieving pain and stress.

Acupuncture is the practice of inserting very fine needles into the skin to stimulate specific anatomic points in the body for therapeutic purposes. These acupuncture points are stimulated to balance the movement of energy (qi, pronounced chee). The regulation or the correction of the qi or energy flow restores health.

Dr Zempsky has been trained in medical acupuncture and has treated a number of children with a variety of pain problems. Used as an adjunct to traditional medicine, many children report less pain, are able to reduce the amount of pain relieving medicine and feel better.

Pediatricians or parents can schedule appointments for acupuncture treatments without evaluation by the Pain Relief Program by calling 860.545.9997.

Acupuncture may not be reimbursed by insurance. Usually 4-6 treatments are required to experience the benefit of this time-honored technique.

Biofeedback
Biofeedback is a treatment technique in which people are trained to improve their health by using signals from their own bodies. It can be used to help patients cope with pain and learn to relax tense muscles. This technique may be used to help children who suffer from migraines, tension headaches and many other types of pain. Some of the benefits of biofeedback is that it is non invasive and unlike medications, there are no side effects.

Scott Van Epps, PT has been trained in biofeedback techniques. Treatment may be recommended as part of the Pain Relief Program evaluation and will be prescribed by the physicians as part of the treatment plan. Biofeedback at CCMC is billed under a patient’s physical therapy insurance benefits and may be fully reimbursable.

Yoga for teens
Yoga is a form of gentle stretching and exercise that can build energy and improve physical and mental well-being. An instructor who is experienced can teach individuals how to breathe more fully which leads to a sense of peace and relaxation. Also, the postures that are learned in yoga are designed to improve flexibility and strength while not putting strain on the heart, muscles or joints.

A teen class is offered periodically at CCMC by a certified yoga instructor, Deborah Campagna. For more information, please call the Pain Relief Program at 860.545.9997.