The Program
The process begins with a referral of an injured worker from their treating physician or insurance company followed by a comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation by our team. Each potential candidate will see one of our pain physicians, a physical therapist and a board certified pain psychologist in order to determine if the program is a good fit for the person.
The evaluation also allows the candidate to familiarize themselves with the team and ask questions so they have a role in the determination process.
If the person is a good fit for the program, then our team meets with the client individually and reviews available medical records from previous treatments. The team then produces a multidisciplinary evaluation report requesting authorization from the insurance carrier explaining our assessment and the rationale and goals for participation in the program.
Are you a SPARC Med candidate?
The typical candidate for the SPARC approach is someone who has undergone extensive medical and/or surgical treatment with only temporary or minimal improvement. Specific factors that make functional restoration an appropriate option include:
Significant deconditioning from diminished activity due to pain, fatigue or illness
Psychosocial factors such as depression or stress that exacerbate the pain
Sleep disturbance related to pain
Overreliance on medication for pain control
Family disruption due to pain and functional limitations
Program Structure
- Typically 6 to 8 weeks, depending on progress
- 9 am to 3 pm M-Thurs, 9am to Noon Fridays
- Physical therapy and therapeutic exercise
- Pain management behavioral training including cognitive behavioral therapy and stress reduction
- Vocational counseling
- Nutrition education
- Medical management including medication optimization
Goals include:
- Restoration of physical conditioning and functional abilities
- Reduction in behavioral or emotional barriers to function
- Return to work (or work readiness)
- Increased independence in managing pain and decreased reliance on traditional medical management
- Improved life quality and relationships
- We set individual goals for each participant, based on their particular circumstances and needs.
Continuum of Care
Intensive 6–8 week Functional Restoration Program includes a biopsychosocial approach to moving the client forward with in-depth education, skills and support designed to maximize physical, psychological and vocational progress. We offer a bilingual/bicultural alternative for Spanish speakers as well.
Modified Functional Restoration Program (Work Hardening)
This approach is designed to enable people who are currently working, or who have been very recently injured (less than six months) to participate in a less intense version of our full program. Early intervention programs, which include exercise, education and appropriate medical care, have been found to significantly improve the person’s ability to return to work if initial conservative medical approaches have been ineffective.
AFTERcare Program
SPARC’s post-program alternative provides additional support on a twice per week basis to program graduates to include monitoring of home exercise regimen and emotional issues that may have arisen affecting progress, and continuation of vocational guidance.
Functional Capacity Evaluations
FCE evaluations assess a patient's ability to perform current job demands and return to work as well as quantify the patients' current limitations and restorative needs. This evaluation is often requested by a doctor or insurance provider.
SparcMed also offers a unique personal coaching and instruction experience to improve:
- Pain Management for Non-Functional Restoration Candidates
- Mobility & Motor Control
- Strength and Conditioning
- Body Mechanics & Exercise Technique
- Sport Performance, Fitness & Nutrition
