Tertiary

When you are preparing to begin your rehabilitation at Spokane Rehab & Pain Clinic, LLC (SRPC), here’s what to expect:

Prior to Initial Visit

Prescription for treatment

Most patients come to us with a prescription for Occupational Therapy that was issued by their physician, ARNP or PAC.  Note: Not all insurance plans require a physician’s prescription.

Forms to be completed

Many of our forms are available online and can be downloaded and brought with you to the scheduled evaluation.

Insurance verification must be verified prior to the evaluation! Please email a picture of your front and back of your insurance card(s) to [email protected]. If you are unable to do this, please send your name, guarantor’s birthdate, ID# and “Provider phone number” on the back of your card. We will need to make a copy of your card(s) when you arrive. Our staff will verify your insurance and our participation in your specific insurance plan.

Patient registration forms

Please print and complete the forms and bring them with you on your first appointment.  Additional paperwork will be completed at the clinic during your first appointment.  The Medical History is critical to determining all the factors involved in your chronic pain and medical conditions.

Please arrive a few minutes early to allow time to complete any additional forms or take a few moments to list other ailments that we can address.  SRPC is located in Northwest Medical Rehab, but functions independently of that clinic.  They’re receptionist will greet you and show you to the waiting area.

Evaluation

What to wear

We usually recommend that patients wear looser-fitting clothing for maximum comfort.

Meet the therapist

You will meet with Kevin Brick, MS, OT who will begin with a specialized evaluation of your injury or condition, discuss your goals and specific needs and develop an individualized treatment plan.  Your range of motion, strength, degree of tenderness/inflammation and how these symptoms affect your functioning will be assessed during the evaluation.

The complexity of your treatment plan and frequency of visits will be based on your specific injury/condition, the physician prescription, your insurance plan and the therapist’s recommended treatment plan.

Establishing goals

Using information acquired during the evaluation, your personalized Treatment Plan and therapy goals will be developed. Your Treatment Plan is created based on input from you, the therapist and your physician.

Regularly Scheduled Appointments

At each visit, you will work with the Occupational Therapist who will instruct and supervise your care. As you reach specific treatment goals, you will progress to new levels of treatments and exercises or other recommendations.

At the end of each visit, your therapist will answer any questions you may have. This is an opportunity to share your thoughts, revisit your goals, and discuss any other pertinent information with your therapist.

In order for our clinical team to get you back to optimal function in an efficient and safe manner, you may be requested to have more than one therapy appointment a week. While this may present a temporary interruption to your schedule, your long-term gains will offset any inconvenience.

Treatment: What to Expect

Spokane Rehab & Pain Clinic’s primary goal is to relieve your pain and get you back to your normal level of activity. Our team is comprised of compassionate, attentive healthcare professionals, living our philosophy of “Treating the patient, not just the injury.”  Your Treatment Program will initially focus on relieving your pain, symptoms and stabilizing your condition. Treatment will then progress to strengthening and regaining maximum movement and function. The length of appointment is 50-60 minutes, one on one, 1-2 times per week.

The most important thing to remember is to be patient with yourself and complete the recommended treatment. As each injury or condition is unique, your Treatment Plan will be tailored specifically to your needs. Initial treatments typically focus on:

• Reducing inflammation
• Alleviating pain
• Protecting you from further injury

In the sessions that follow, treatment will focus on helping you return or surpass your previous levels of function.

It is important to note that patients will receive Frequency Specific Microcurrent as part of their treatments.  These devices run “in the background” and treat the underlying conditions at a cellular level. You cannot feel the current which is measured in millionths of an amp.  You may opt out of this, but it is used to encourage permanent changes to rebuilding tissues at a cellular level.  Please see the section in our website regarding “Frequency Specific Microcurrent”.

Along with your treatments, you will be provided with suggestions on how to expedite your recovery. It is very important to participate with these instructions as it will lead to a quicker recovery.  Suggestions for lifestyle changes will be provided as necessary. Ongoing communication with your therapist will ensure proper adjustments are made to your treatment plan.

Home Exercise Programs

You may be provided with a home exercise program, dietary and/or other activities that complements your plan of care. The home program is an important part of the healing process and will assist you in achieving your goals.

Communication

Your therapist will continually reassess your progress toward your treatment goals and will work with you and your doctor(s) to plan for the appropriate time and readiness of your discharge from regularly scheduled therapy visits.

Discharge

Discharge from treatment can come in many forms.  Normally, when a patient has met their goals, they are discharged from therapy.  However, in many instances when the diagnoses or conditions are chronic or progressive, a patient may be seen intermittently when the condition flares or other neurological or orthopedic symptoms appear. The patient can call or email the clinic and discuss their current situation with the therapist.  Some patients often opt for just Frequency Specific Microcurrent to relieve conditions of inflammation such as arthritis or neurological conditions.  This is billed on a per minute basis. You can discuss this option with your therapist.

Summary

The treatment you receive at Spokane Rehab & Pain Clinic is unique from traditional rehab or Physical Therapy clinics. It is 1:1 therapy focused on chronic pain, progressive diseases and rebuilding your body’s tissues at a cellular level. YOU will be an integral part of your rehabilitation and a strong component of your success and relief from pain!

Ready to get started? Fill out the Insurance Verification Form to see if you’re covered.

Kevin received his bachelor’s in Occupational Therapy in 1978 and an advanced Master’s in Research and Technology in 1992 at State University of New York at Buffalo.  He has extensive clinical expertise in orthopedic and neurological conditions from pediatrics to geriatrics.

Kevin combines various technologies to expedite healing and work with his patients in proper body mechanics and compensatory movement strategies.  His knowledge of acute injuries and chronic pain has developed from comprehensive education and training in soft tissue osteopathic approaches. He is proficient in Craniosacral Therapy and Visceral Manipulation techniques that serve to compliment physical agent modalities and traditional therapy approaches.  He also has extensive experience in Frequency Specific Microcurrent, a modality which directly affects the cause of pain and dysfunction at a cellular level.

He was the Internship Coordinator and instructor at Eastern Washington University where he assisted in developing curriculum for the Occupational Therapy Department and transitioning from a bachelor’s to a master’s program. During his graduate education, he co-instructed the undergraduate course on the philosophy of effective client care and management.

Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) is a relatively new form of electrical stimulation utilized by Physicians, Osteopaths, Nurse Practitioners and Physical and Occupational Therapists.  It is classified by FDA under the TENS category.

Every tissue in the body has a unique frequency.  This was determined years ago and has been utilized by many healthcare organizations for various types of healing using a myriad of frequencies – many representing diseased tissues.  Spokane Rehab & Pain Clinic utilizes only frequencies which match the body’s tissues which allows us to avoid side effects while optimizing healing. FSM functions at one millionth of an amp, which is 1000 times less than TENS. This amperage represents the natural current of the body and generally cannot be felt by the patient.

FSM focuses on stimulating specific tissues functions (Channel A) directed at the affected tissues (Channel B). The treatment utilizes the body’s ability to respond to frequencies to promote healing acute and chronic conditions. There are thousands of frequencies directed at specific tissues and frequencies which stimulate the cells to perform specific functions. Psychological and emotional conditions often show immediate responses to depression, anxiety and other negative emotional states.

From a physiological perspective, FSM increases ATP production up to 500%, protein synthesis to 70% and amino acid transport to 40%.  It also reduces cytokine levels to their normal range. These factors contribute to an imminent decrease in pain while increasing metabolic function and energy.

There are no side effects other than occasional initial drowsiness due to release of toxins and changes in neurological and tissue function. Treatment of post-surgical abdominal adhesions may also initially cause discomfort with the therapist providing complementary visceral manipulation as the viscera realigns itself to a less restrictive environment. Adhesions which may have developed years ago from trauma or surgeries, can be markedly reduced.

FSM treatments are combined with Craniosacral therapy, Visceral Manipulation, Strain-Counterstrain and other traditional and alternative interventions. Sessions are 50-60 minutes in length and are always 1:1 throughout the session. Patients may also pay privately for non-attended FSM treatment once the program has been established.

Incremental lifestyle changes are introduced and encouraged to complement treatment interventions, encourage permanency of progress and expedite positive changes.

FSM has been effective in decreasing the effects of hypertonicity in TBI and CVA.  Patients with Parkinson’s and progressive neurological conditions often report increased muscle coordination and strength.  Concussions and decreased thought processes are addressed using frequencies which stimulate – or inhibit targeted brain components and neural pathways.  Inflammation, a physiological response in many diagnoses, is significantly reduced using acute or chronic settings. Healing orthopedic injuries including fractures and torn or inflamed soft tissues are addressed utilizing frequencies specific to the target tissue while facilitating the function of that tissue.

The effectiveness of treatment varies from provisional to complete healing. This often depends on the patients’ compliance with therapeutic recommendations and efficacy of the target tissues. Generally, inflammation and joint laxity (as with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and post hip/knee replacement) are often immediate and may last weeks to months or longer.

Choosing to utilize Frequency Specific Microcurrent as a therapeutic tool allows patients who may not be able to tolerate surgical or other medical/ rehabilitation interventions programs to decrease pain and increase function with fewer medications.  FSM is the least restrictive intervention which presents with no side effects and is very effective in helping your patients return to a higher quality of life. It may provide the stimulus to a significant reduction in pain with those patients who have resisted the traditional methods of pain control.