FRP

The Functional Restoration Program at Healthpointe > Articles by: FRP

FRP Provider Spotlight: Dr. David Gendreau

FRP Provider Spotlight: Dr. David Gendreau

Here at Healthpointe, we believe in considering all aspects of a person when addressing their treatment and recovery. No doctor better exemplifies that mindset than Dr. David Gendreau, the chief chiropractor of our Functional Restoration Program. The Functional Restoration Program (FRP) at Healthpointe is an integrated program focused on helping patients with chronic pain by utilizing a bio-psycho-social approach. This approach takes the entire person into account, allowing for a holistic ideology behind the medicines to be implemented. Dr. Gendreau performs most of his duties in this scope at the Perris, California location.

Education

After graduating from the University of California, Irvine, he obtained his doctoral degree from the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic. Additionally, this is where he completed his residency in diagnostic imaging. Since graduating Summa Cum Laude and as a member of the Dean’s list, he has been working both in a private practice and as an independent contractor for Healthpointe. He has extensive experience teaching in both undergraduate and doctoral programs, and has spent time educating at the Dongguk University Los Angeles and the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic. He has spoken at several different seminars throughout Southern California, and has been a keynote presenter at the Gonstead Seminar in Palm Springs every year since 2012. In addition to his speaking engagements, he also has a lengthy publishing record in medical journals. One of his pieces, which was published in Clinical Chiropractic in 2007, is titled The Effect of Chiropractic Adjusting, Exercises and Modalities on a 32-year-old Professional Male Golfer with Hallus Rigidus.

Chronic Pain

Since February 2012, Dr. Gendreau has contributed to Healthpointe’s holistic approach to treating chronic pain, impacting patient’s lives for the better. About two years ago, he began working for the Functional Restoration Program, and is the initial doctor patients will interact with.

The FRP helps individuals get back to their lives and overcome their chronic pain. Backed by medical research and proven to be both evidence-based and effective, aspects such as function, activities of daily living, and returning to work are increased. This is accomplished by decreasing detriments such as pain, emotional suffering, and pain medication. Each patient interested in the program completes a Functional Restoration Program evaluation to determine if they are a candidate for the program. Aspects of the evaluation include medical, psychological, and physiotherapy evaluations with baseline testing. From there, the potential case is discussed with members of the FRP staff to determine candidacy.

Chronic Pain

Above: Patient Experiencing Chronic Neck Pain

Evaluations

At Healthpointe’s Perris office, Dr. Gendreau performs an extensive initial evaluation, even taking the measurements of the patient’s range of motion. If a patient progresses through the FRP, these measurements can then be referenced for comparison. This allows staff involved in the FRP to objectively measure each patient’s progress. Since progress is the main goal of the FRP, the objective ways of measuring progress are valuable. Examples can extend from the range of motion, to how many prescription pain killers each patient may need to go about daily life.

Exercise

The FRP focuses on the use of strengthening and stretching exercises—things the patient will have access to even when they’ve finished the program. The goal isn’t just limited to progress on paper. It also takes a hard look at a patient’s mobility, trying to get them towards exercising on their own. Dr. Gendreau stresses the mindset of improvement — “are there changes being made?” he asks. This is a question he asks himself every time a patient comes through Healthpointe’s Perris office for the FRP program. Dr. Gendreau acknowledges the importance of his position in the FRP, and states that everyone involved in the FRP’s “job is to help increase mobility, [the patient’s] attitude towards exercising, [develop] ways [for the patient to help themselves], and to decrease [their use of] pain meds.”

Everyone at Healthpointe knows how difficult it can be to live with chronic pain. If you or a loved one is suffering from chronic pain, please do not hesitate to reach out and see if you are a candidate for the Functional Restoration Program at Healthpointe. If you would like to make an appointment, please click the link or dial (888) 724-8153.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia

The United States has a sleeping problem, and the numbers behind that fact can be daunting. About 97.2 million Americans, or roughly 30% of the population, report symptoms associated with one of the five major sleeping disorders; sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, REM sleep behavior disorder, narcolepsy, and insomnia. Of these, insomnia is the most common, affecting approximately 60 million Americans. While many people report occasional bouts of sleeplessness, chronic insomnia is characterized by persistent difficulty falling or staying asleep. The causes of insomnia can be widely varied, and as such, so are the treatments. Many people have found success treating their sleeping issues through the use of CBT-i, or cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia.

What is CBT-i?

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of “talk therapy” that aims to change obstructive behaviors and develop personal strategies that help cope with and solve issues that are interfering with one’s way of life. This type of therapy can help with sleeping problems, as insomnia can absolutely be influenced by one’s daily behaviors.

CBT-i is a method of treating insomnia that focuses on changing and improving the sleeping habits, or sleep hygiene, of afflicted individuals. It is a structured program performed under the guidance of a professional, usually a therapist, that is used to identify thoughts or behaviors that contribute to insomnia. Together, the patient and therapist work to replace those habits with those that promote good sleep hygiene. Sleep hygiene refers to the behavioral and scheduling practices of an individual in regards to how they sleep. Some recommendations for improving sleep hygiene can include establishing a regular sleep schedule, limiting stress, avoiding exercise too close to bedtime, and using the bed solely for sleep.

How does it work?

According to the MayoClinic, “The cognitive part of CBT-I teaches you to recognize and change beliefs that affect your ability to sleep… The behavioral part of CBT-I helps you develop good sleep habits and avoid behaviors that keep you from sleeping well.” Just as CBT has many methods for acquiring mental clarity, there are several different techniques used in CBT-i that encourage, and discourage, certain behaviors.

Sleep Restriction Therapy is typically one of the major components of CBT-i. The treatment consists of reducing and restricting the amount of time spent in bed, with the goal being partial sleep deprivation. This somewhat “reboots” the sleeping schedule, essentially forcing the patient to sleep through the night due to exhaustion. As sleep improves, more sleeping time is gradually added.

Sleep Issues

A therapist treating using CBT-i might set specific stimulus control instructions that either remove or modify factors that basically make your brain resist sleep. Things like setting a consistent sleep schedule, using the bed only for sleep and sex, and getting out of bed if you can’t sleep after a certain period of time may be part of those instructions.

In addition to this, you may be advised to change the setup of your bedroom in order to make it more appropriate for sleeping. Keeping the bedroom dark and quiet, removing your television, and keeping your phone in another room are examples of methods that make a bedroom better suited for sleep time. Before bed, you may be encouraged to practice relaxation training– meditation, imagery, and muscle relaxation are all common approaches.

Another aspect of CBT-i is Sleep Hygiene Education. Practicing these methods does nothing if you don’t understand what waking-habits you can practice or curb in order to improve your sleep at night. This can include avoiding caffeine and alcohol or getting regular exercise. Usually, the therapist will come up with a custom routine composed of behaviors meant to prepare the body for sleep in the couple of hours before bedtime.

Therapists may also take a Biofeedback approach, in which the patient’s biological signs during, before, and after sleep are observed and documented. They can monitor things such as heart rate and muscle tension. This can be done in a medical office, a sleep center, or at home with the aid of a biofeedback device to record daily patterns.

Relapse Prevention is one of the most important parts of CBT-i. According to the Sleep Foundation, “The patient needs to learn how to maintain what they’ve learned and prepare for the possibility of a future flare up.” Lots of things can set off those bad habits that contribute to insomnia, and it is important to make sure not to compensate for sleep loss in an attempt to “get back on schedule.” Additionally, adhering to the sleep schedule that has been custom made for the patient is vital to the process. Occasionally, bouts of insomnia may occur, and in that case, restarting the sleep-restriction process is often recommended.

Through the Psychology Department at Healthpointe and the Functional Restoration Program offered at Healthpointe, our trained staff of psychological and medical professionals will utilize CBT-i to address the root of your insomnia and help you treat it. For more information on whether or not CBT-i is right for you, you can call us at (888) 724-8153 or make an appointment at any one of our offices by clicking here.

Press Release: The New Functional Restoration Program Website

Healthpointe Releases New Website for its Functional Restoration Program

LA MIRADA, CA, MARCH 01, 2019

Healthpointe is glad to announce the release of its newest website endorsing its Functional Restoration Program, for those suffering from chronic pain.

Healthpointe Medical Group is pleased to announce the release of its new website, TheFunctionalRestorationProgram.com, dedicated to providing patients with key information and research in regards to integrated chronic pain treatment at Healthpointe.

Chronic pain affects over 100 million Americans and takes an enormous negative toll on patients, families, employers, and the healthcare system. The Functional Restoration Program (FRP) at Healthpointe is a program focused on helping patients with chronic pain. The Functional Restoration Program uses an integrated, bio-psycho-social approach to helping patients improve their overall quality of life. At Healthpointe, a medical doctor, physiotherapist, and psychologist work together as a treatment team to help patients achieve their treatment goals.

The goals of the Functional Restoration Program are to help patients increase activities of daily living, improve physical functioning, facilitate return to work, decrease emotional suffering, decrease pain, and decrease pain medication.

Functional Restoration Program New Website

Those suffering from chronic pain are often prescribed opioids—a drug effective in relieving pain. However, opioids can be dangerous when used for lengthy periods of time, and they can lead to overt negative effects such as opioid addiction, overdose, and death. The Functional Restoration Program is designed to steadily wean patients off of opioid medications, while improving chronic pain coping skills.

The Functional Restoration Program is perfect for injured workers and all other patients suffering from chronic pain. The program is led by Levon Margolin Ph.D. and Roman Shulze M.D. These doctors at Healthpointe work closely with every patient, modifying their personal treatment plan based on the type of injury, medication, and overall desired outcome—ensuring the best results.

“I’m excited to be expanding upon our clinic’s pain management program,” says Healthpointe’s Dr. Ismael Silva. “The Functional Restoration Program will provide a huge leap forward in patient recovery. I trust that under Dr. Margolin and his team’s caring hands, the lives of many patients will be greatly improved.”

For more information about Healthpointe’s services, please call 888-956-2663 or simply schedule an appointment by visiting their website at healthpointe.net.

Car Crashes: The Psychological Effects

Car Crashes: The Psychological Effects

You are likely to be involved in an automobile accident every 18 years. According to this article on Forbes, that means you will on average experience 3 to 4 car crashes in your lifetime. Among the general consequences of car crashes, some of the most debilitating effects end up being psychological in nature, as even after the physical injuries have healed, the psychological trauma will usually remain. Here are the psychological effects of car crashes, their implications, and the methods in which they are treated.

Potential Psychological Effects of Car Crashes

According to this study, car crashes that result in physiological conditions such as whiplash, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury, show evidence of elevated levels of psychological distress. Further studies of MVC (motor vehicle crash) survivors concluded that:

• 21%-67% experience depressive mood.
• Up to 47% experience elevated anxiety and driving phobia.
• 20%-40% suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Additionally, high levels of pain and fatigue have been found in people suffering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI)—ultimately leading to a reduced quality of life. To make matters worse, it is found that “when MVC-related injury results in psychological distress, medical and rehabilitation costs have been found to double.”

Depression

In regards to experiencing depressive mood, any persistent feeling of sadness or lack of interest is usually characterized as major depressive disorder—leading to a wide range of behavioral and physical symptoms. Such symptoms may include:

• Mood changes: such as hopelessness, loss of interest, general apathy, and sadness.
• Physiological problems: like fatigue, loss of appetite, and/or excessive hunger.
• Changes in behavior: irritability or social isolation for instance.
• Changes in weight
• Sleeping changes: insomnia, excess sleepiness, or restless sleep for example.
• Suicidal thoughts

In general, treatment for depression usually consists of taking medication, or engaging in talk therapy—if not both. The most common medication for depression is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), an antidepressant. One of the most common therapies is cognitive behavioral therapy.

Car Crash and Psychological Impact

Anxiety

Anxiety disorder is usually presented through feelings of worry or fear that are strong enough to interfere with an individual’s daily activities. Usually self-diagnosable, anxiety symptoms include feelings of stress that are considered out of proportion to the triggering event, restlessness, and the inability to set aside one’s worries. Other symptoms may include:

• Physiological experiences: such as sweating, fatigue, nausea, palpitations or trembling.
• Behavioral changes: irritability and hypervigilance for instance.
• Mood changes: like excessive fear, worry, and feelings of impending doom.
• Cognitive changes: racing or unwarranted-thoughts, and a lack of concentration for example.

Most often, treatment for anxiety includes some form of counseling or medications, like antidepressants for instance. There are also paths for self-care that you can take, such as avoiding alcohol and reducing your caffeine intake. Engaging in physical exercise is also a great choice.

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a type of anxiety, presented through an individual’s inability or difficulty in recovering after witnessing or experiencing a terrifying or traumatic event. This experience may last for months or even years, and there are usually triggers that can bring forth unpleasant memories of the trauma, as well as the intense emotional and physical reactions associated with it. General symptoms can include unwanted memories of the trauma, avoidance of triggers, and anxiety. Other symptoms may include:

• Mood changes: such as feelings of guilt or loneliness, as well as a loss of interest, and emotional detachment.
• Sleep changes: like insomnia and nightmares.
• Behavioral changes: hostility, self-destructive behavior, social isolation, hypervigilance, and irritability for instance.
• Physiological experiences: such as flashbacks to the event, severe mistrust or anxiety, and fear.

For the most part, PTSD is treated through medications that manage symptoms as well as trauma-focused psychotherapy. The most common medication for PTSD is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), and one of the most common therapies is cognitive behavioral therapy.

At the end of the day, patients may experience any one or a combination of these forms of psychological distress. While not an extensive list, depression, anxiety, and PTSD are the most common instances found to arise from car crashes with their effects afflicting one long after the MVC itself. If at any time you find yourself experiencing one or more of these symptoms, please consider consulting your primary care physician and requesting a visit with a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Medically reviewed by Levon Margolin, Ph.D., MSCP, QME

For more questions in regards to the Functional Restoration Program or to schedule an appointment, please call us at (888) 724-8153.

The Functional Restoration Program for Injured Workers

Functional Restoration Program for Injured Workers

If you’re an injured worker and you were referred to the functional restoration program, you may have some questions. You might ask, “What is the ‘Functional Restoration Program’ and how can it help me?”, or “What should I expect?”

Fortunately, this blog will answer some of injured workers’ most frequently asked questions regarding the Functional Restoration Program (FRP).

What is the Functional Restoration Program?

The Functional Restoration Program is a successful evidence-based wellness option designed to assist patients with the restoration of their level of functioning. This wellness option utilizes various therapeutic exercises, work conditioning, educational resources, and psychotherapy.

The FRP’s expert team will work in conjunction with the patient’s needs and incorporate clinically proven strategies to better support patients with their recovery and enhance their quality of life.

What does the FRP consist of?

The Functional Restoration program consists of various therapeutic approaches for the patient. This would include stress management strategies, nutrition and diet education, cognitive behavior therapy, physiotherapy, and medical evaluations.

Depending on the patient, this program will combine exercises and psychotherapy with learning material that is best suited for injured workers with chronic pain.

The Functional Restoration Program for Injured Workers

Who would benefit best from the FRP?

The FRP treatment plan is perfect for injured workers and those suffering from chronic pain. It can be modified based on patient’s type of injury, medication, and overall desired outcome.

Why is the Functional Restoration Program advantageous for injured workers?

This program is conducted by a psychologist, physiotherapist, and a medical doctor. The treatment team works with the patient to develop stress relieving exercises and methods that will assist in their management of pain. The goals of the program are to improve quality of life, increase physical functioning, improve activities of daily living, decrease pain medication, decrease emotional suffering, decrease pain, and return to work.

The Functional Restoration program will provide patients with the highest level of treatment to facilitate achievement of their treatment goals.

For more questions in regards to the Functional Restoration Program or to schedule an appointment, please call us at (888) 724-8153.

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