Each group of 8 to 12 people meets three days per week, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM for an eight-week commitment to multidisciplinary rehabilitation activities including:

• COMPREHENSIVE MULTIDISCIPLINARY EVALUATION
  From EBFR Team physician, physical therapist, psychologist, and occupation/vocational specialists; to identify appropriate candidates and establish individual treatment plan and rehabilitation goals.
  
  
• PHYSICAL REHABILITATION
  Individually paced physical reconditioning and activity tolerance training under careful physical therapist and physician guidance.
  
  
• COPING SKILLS TRAINING
  For pain and stress management.
  
  
• ACTIVITY TOLERANCE TRAINING
  Simulation of home and work tasks emphasizing safety, postural body mechanics, ergonomics, and activity pacing.
  
  
• MEDICATION OPTIMIZATION
  A careful review of medication benefits and side effects, with taper of medications when appropriate.
  
  
• PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT
  Of stress, depression, anger, and sleep disturbance.
  
  
• RETURN-TO-WORK PREPARATION
  Focusing on functional work conditioning and vocational education.
  
  
• GROUP SUPPORT TO RECLAIM LOST ACTIVITIES
  Family, recreational, and social activities outside the home.
  
  
• VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY SERVICE
  As a bridge back to active life outside the home.
  
  
• AFTERCARE SUPPORT
  For three months after program discharge.
  
  
• CONSERVATIVE ALTERNATIVE TO MAJOR ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY.
  
  
• COMMITMENT TO EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENTS AND OUTCOME TRACKING.
  
  
• MAXIMUM MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPROVEMENT BY PROGRAM DISCHARGE.
  
  
  
  

EBFR TREATMENT GOALS

• Restore maximal physical function and conditioning for work and/or daily activities.
  
  
• Optimize psychological and behavioral pain coping skills.
  
  
• Promote psychological adjustment to injury through cognitive-behavioral group therapy and individual counseling.
  
  
• Help participants take charge of their health and medical care through education and support.
  
  
• Find the lowest optimal dose of pain medications and/or taper pain medications when appropriate. Reduce dependence on ineffective medical treatments.
  
  
• Improve depression and sleep disturbance.
  
  
• Work and home activities simulation to improve pain tolerance.
  
  
• Facilitated return-to-work by EBFR’s Vocational Coordinator.
  
  
• Spouse and family education.
  
  
• Help participants move toward Workers’ Compensation case closure.