Skip to Content

Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program

The Inpatient Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program (CPRP) is an award winning, comprehensive treatment program established in 1988 to help local and national Veterans and Active-Duty service members with chronic pain cope with their condition. It is the only CARF-accredited (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) inpatient chronic pain rehabilitation program in the VA system. In 2009, services expanded to include establishment of an Outpatient Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program (OCPRP) to provide an additional option for local veterans.

Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program

We are a nationally recognized VA “Clinical Program of Excellence” for pain treatment, research, and education. In 2020, we developed and launched the Pain Empowerment Anywhere (PEAK) Program, which shares the same treatment approach and philosophy as the Chronic Pain Rehabilitation programs, but is a fully virtual, interdisciplinary, active pain rehabilitation program.

Our programs utilize an active rehabilitation, whole person, and team-based approach to treating chronic pain. We offer a combination of group and individual evidence-based treatments to empower all participants including movement-based therapies, behavioral strategies, various rehabilitation therapies, pain neuroscience education, medical consultation/management, and family involvement. Our focus is on personal rehabilitation goals to optimize motivation, engagement, and success.

CPRP and PEAK accept referrals for Veterans and Active-Duty servicemembers with chronic pain from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Inpatient CPRP is a 19-day program, that admits four patients weekly. The Outpatient CPRP serves Veterans and is held two days per week for eight weeks, with two patients admitted weekly. PEAK is a cohort-based, 5-week program.

Regarding evaluation, a medical record review is completed on Veterans and Servicemembers referred from outside the Tampa catchment area. Once medically cleared, a VA Video Connect pain psychology evaluation is completed. All patients referred must have a recent urine drug screen. A similar process is conducted in person with local candidates for either the Inpatient or Outpatient Programs (OCPRP and PEAK). Admission dates are offered once cleared for the program, and travel arrangements are planned when necessary. If there are any questions or concerns, these are shared with the referring provider.

Referral Information

Additional Pain Programs

Inpatient Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program (CPRP)

Treatment in the Inpatient CPRP emphasizes a whole-person, biopsychosocial, evidence-based, active pain rehabilitation approach. Individuals are admitted on a Sunday and participate in individual, group, and team-based pain rehabilitation sessions for 19 days. Participants average 6-8 hours of active programming each treatment day. An individualized program of treatment is developed for each participant.

On the weekends, individuals may request a therapeutic pass. The rehabilitation program is completed independently over the weekends while inpatient or on therapeutic pass. Please contact Dr. Nicolle Angeli at for more information.

Please review the patient testimonial video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QKho1UoeZw) that showcases some of what the CPRP has to offer.

Outpatient Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program

Treatment in the Outpatient CPRP involves many of the same treatment components as the Inpatient program but instead of staying at the hospital for 3 weeks, Veterans come to the VA 2 days per week for 8 consecutive weeks to participate in treatment.

Inpatient and Outpatient pain program core components may include:

  • Heated pool therapy
  • Physical therapy
  • Relaxation and Mindful Meditation training sessions
  • Group Classes
  • Recreational therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Walking sessions
  • Individual pain psychology
  • Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Medical Management

Pain Empowerment Anywhere (PEAK) Program

PEAK is a fully virtual, intensive pain program that shares the same active rehabilitation, whole person, and team-based approach to treating chronic as our CARF-accredited programs. PEAK offers a unique combination of group and individual evidence-based treatments to empower all participants including movement-based therapies (e.g., physical therapy, Tai Chi, adaptive yoga), behavioral strategies (e.g., pacing, mindfulness), vocational rehabilitation and occupational therapy, pain neuroscience education, recreation therapy, medical consultation, and family involvement. PEAK is up to three times weekly for 5 weeks.

Prehabilitation and Graduates Programming

Patients who are cleared for participation in PEAK, CPRP, or OCPRP are offered our weekly access to our prehabilitation educational and coping skills groups. These are taught by various interdisciplinary staff members and are a great way to connect and prepare for admission to one our pain rehabilitation programs. Upon completion of PEAK, CPRP, or OCPRP, patients are offered monthly program graduates groups that are designed to help participants maintain the gains achieved in the rehabilitation program and continue to improve self-management skills within a supportive group. 

Chronic Headache Management Program (CHAMP)

CHAMP is an interdisciplinary, outpatient program that treats veterans suffering with chronic headaches. Patients are provided behavioral interventions, focused medication management, and suggested improvements in their daily environment to reduce the frequency and severity of their headaches. All patients are evaluated individually by both pain psychology and neurology to determine if they would benefit from CHAMP. If accepted, patients participate in-person and virtually in 3-4 hours of therapy once weekly for 5 consecutive weeks. When indicated, the patients may also receive biofeedback and Botox® injections, but additional treatments usually require other scheduled sessions. Following CHAMP, patients are offered the aftercare program and individual sessions as needed. For more information about CHAMP, please contact Dr. S. Curtis Takagishi at or via email at StanleyCurtis.Takagishi@va.gov.

Pain, Activation and Sleep Skills (PASS)

The PASS program helps Veterans develop skills for improving sleep quality and daytime fatigue in the context of chronic pain. Veterans are educated about the impact that pain has on daytime routine and how these changes contribute to the maintenance of sleep difficulties (e.g., insomnia). Veterans are individually evaluated and participate in 8-weekly class meetings. Classes last approximately 60 minutes. PASS is located in the Outpatient Pain Clinic (G320-38; Third floor of the SCI building), although currently offered virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. More information about PASS can be obtained by emailing Dr. Aaron M. Martin at Aaron.Martin2@va.gov or calling x3419. Sleep Apnea: If you suspect a Veteran has sleep apnea, but has not been referred for a sleep study, please consider placing a sleep study consult ASAP to avoid delay in rule-out/treatment.

Chronic Pain Resources

The following websites provide information on chronic pain that may be useful for veterans, their family members, and providers who treat those with pain problems.

 

Last updated: