Overview
At Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, our mission is to empower children and adolescents to regain functional independence, participate in daily routines, and improve their overall quality of life. Using a non-opioid, multidisciplinary rehabilitation model, we provide innovative care tailored to the unique needs of each patient.
At the Chronic Pain and Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) Center of Excellence, our expert pediatric chronic pain management team of health professionals at Rady Children’s includes physicians specializing in rehabilitation/physical medicine, a psychologist, occupational therapists, physical therapists, certified therapeutic recreation specialists, and a social worker.
Children and teens work closely with our medical professionals to develop their own strategies so they can return to school, sports, and their social life.
Our Chronic Pain Multidisciplinary Program Services Include:
- Inpatient Chronic Pain Management Program
- Outpatient Chronic Pain Management Program, affiliated with Rehabilitation Medicine
- Inpatient Acute Pain Service
- Integrative Medicine
- Rheumatology
- Neurology
- Gastroenterology
- Orthopedics
Chronic Pain Conditions
- Chronic pain refers to persistent or recurrent pain that lasts for an extended period of time and can affect children and adolescents, just like it can affect adults.
- When a child experiences chronic pain, their nervous system distributes pain signals where they aren’t needed. This may be due to either an initial injury or an illness that has already healed, or there is no clear biological source. This misfiring of pain signals causes discomfort that can continue for weeks, months, or years. Approximately 20% to 35% of children and adolescents are affected by chronic pain worldwide.
- The pain experienced by children with chronic pain can range from mild to severe, significantly impacting their daily activities. Pediatric chronic pain can affect a child’s school attendance, sleep patterns, mood, appetite, and participation in social or recreational events.
Understanding FND & Chronic Pain
What Is FND?
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a condition in which the brain has difficulty sending signals to the body, affecting movement, speech, sensation, and cognition. This disconnect can significantly impact daily activities, including school and social participation.
What Is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is pain that lasts longer than six months. It can be localized, as in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), or widespread, as seen in Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome (AMPS). Unlike acute pain, chronic pain persists even after the original injury or illness has resolved.
Chronic Pain Conditions
Chronic pain refers to persistent or recurrent pain that lasts for an extended period of time and can affect children and adolescents, just like it can affect adults. Approximately 20% to 35% of children and adolescents are affected by chronic pain worldwide.
When a child experiences chronic pain, their nervous system distributes pain signals where they aren’t needed. This may be due to either an initial injury or an illness that has already healed, or there is no clear biological source. This misinterpretation of signals by the nervous system generates a sensation of discomfort or pain that can last for weeks, months, or years.
The pain experienced by children with chronic pain can range from mild to severe, significantly impacting their daily activities. Pediatric chronic pain can affect a child’s school attendance, sleep patterns, mood, appetite, and participation in social or recreational events.
Pediatric Chronic Pain Conditions We Treat Can Include:
- Functional Neurologic Disorder
- Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome ( AMPS)
- Chronic Pain Syndrome
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
- Chronic Headaches, Migraines
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic Abdominal pain
- Neuropathic pain
- Pain Secondary to Acute or Chronic Illness
- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
What Causes Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) & Chronic Pain
- FND – can be triggered by stress, trauma, illness or injury, but the exact cause is unknown.
- Chronic pain syndromes – often develop after an injury, illness, or psychological stress, even after the initial condition has healed.
Symptoms of FND
- Loss of function in a limb or body part
- Tremors, tics or non-epileptic seizures
- Difficulty walking, talking or sensing touch
- Memory or concentration problems
- Symptoms may worsen with attention and improve with distraction
Symptoms of Chronic Pain
- Persistent pain that does not subside as expected
- Guarding, wincing or avoiding activities
- Mood changes, anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances
- Functional limitations in mobility, school attendance and daily activities
These conditions can significantly impact physical, emotional and social well-being, making timely intervention essential.
Treatment & Support
There is no quick fix for FND or chronic pain, but with a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach, significant improvements can be made. Instead of focusing on pain medication, our pediatric pain management program aims to provide coping strategies and healthier ways to respond to pain.
Our specialized team provides:
- Inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Psychological and behavioral support
- Pain management strategies
- Education for patients and families
Inpatient Chronic Pain Management Program and Treatment
In 2018, Rady Children’s partnered with Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Jersey to launch Southern California’s first inpatient children’s chronic pain management program. We know some pain medications can lead to dependency and many times are not needed to control pain. This is why we follow Children’s Specialized Hospital’s opioid- and pain medication-free model of pain management for pediatric patients and adolescent patients. Instead of focusing on pain medication, our pediatric pain management program aims to provide coping strategies and healthier ways to respond to pain.
Finding the Right Treatment for Your Child
Our goal is to help each child regain function, build resilience, and lead a fulfilling life. If you suspect your child may have FND or chronic pain, we’re here to help. At Rady Children’s, we provide tailored treatment plans designed to support your child’s unique needs.
We know that navigating chronic pain conditions can be challenging. Below are some recommended steps for finding the right care for your child.
- Primary care – The first step in your child’s journey should be with their pediatrician. Find a pediatrician.
- Labs – Your pediatrician or primary care doctor can order a set of laboratory (blood) work to see if there is a medical reason for the pain. See our resources list.
- Outpatient Chronic Pain Management Program – This is most beneficial for patients who are having daily mild-moderate difficulties with physical functioning and participate in some in-person school. Learn more about the Outpatient Chronic Pain Management Program.
- Inpatient Chronic Pain Program – This is for patients who are having daily moderate-severe difficulties with physical functioning and are unable to participate in school or have trouble socializing. Learn more about the Inpatient Chronic Pain Management Program.
Frequently Asked Questions about our Pain Management Programs
- What pain management services does Rady Children’s Hospital provide?
Our pain management program offers comprehensive care for children experiencing acute or chronic pain. At both our outpatient and inpatient programs, we provide individualized treatment plans to improve pain relief and overall well-being. - How does the pain management center assess and treat pediatric pain?
At our pain management center, we use a multidisciplinary approach to evaluate and treat pediatric pain. Our expert team includes physicians specializing in rehabilitation/physical medicine, a psychologist, occupational therapists, physical therapists, certified therapeutic recreation specialists, and a social worker. Together, they assess pain intensity, identify underlying causes, and support children and teens in developing their own strategies so they can return to school, sports, and their social life. - What conditions does the pediatric pain management program treat?
Our pediatric pain management programs treat a variety of conditions, including functional neurologic disorder (FND), amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome, (AMPS), fibromyalgia, headaches, musculoskeletal pain, neuropathic pain, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and post-surgical pain. We focus on understanding pain in young patients and providing effective pain control strategies tailored to each child’s needs. - What therapies are available for pain relief at Rady Children’s Hospital?
We offer a range of therapies to support pediatric pain management, including psychology, physical and occupational therapy, acupuncture, aquatic therapy, meditation and recreational therapy. Our goal is to provide comprehensive pain relief and improve your child’s quality of life.