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 3825 Market St, Suite 4
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PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION
Spinal Cord Stimulation

Psychological evaluations for back surgery are useful to determine fitness and assess your history of pain, current level of pain, activities that make your pain worse or better, and your own methods to find relief from pain. We will help you obtain psychological clearance before your spinal cord stimulation surgery and will collaborate with your surgery team to help them make an informed decision regarding your surgery.

Desk
You Must Know

When a spinal cord stimulator is implanted beneath your skin, you will feel electrical impulses in your spinal cord which, in turn, will send modified pain signals to the brain that are less intense. The procedure is likely to result in experiencing less pain or a sense of relief in the affected areas.

In some cases, people may bleed, develop infection, or experience pain, nerve damage or even paralysis post-surgery. Some people experience changes over time as scar tissue grows around the stimulator and blocks the electrical signals it is designed to send. We will help you understand not only the procedure but also how to be mentally prepared for the surgery and its potential outcomes, as well as how to respond if you were to experience adverse symptoms post-surgery.

Psychological Risks Associated with Bariatric Surgery

Increased risk of depressive symptoms Mood swings Body dysmorphia Food obsession and addiction Stress and anxiety Social acceptance Self-consciousness about excess skin Alcohol abuse and sensitivity

PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION
Spinal Cord Stimulation
Surgery is the beginning phase of your new life. Adjusting to the changes is perhaps the most challenging phase you may encounter as it may take you some time to negotiate with the symptoms you may experience after surgery.
We are interested in educating you about the effects of surgery and how your personality and mental attitude may contribute to achieving success of failing to comply with medical recommendations following surgery.
You are required to undergo an evaluation because the information collected helps your surgery team be informed about potential adverse mental and physical health risks and other factors that may worsen your pain.
Providers
Our intake team can meet with your referral coordinator to arrange service and share a sample report if necessary. Our evaluations for spinal cord stimulator implants follow best practice recommendations. Any referred patient is offered an appointment within 2 weeks of the initial referral and undergoes a 90-minute interview to gather pertinent information. The report is sent to your team via fax two-to-three weeks from the evaluation date and includes recommendation to proceed with surgery or if alternative treatments are necessary.
The first step of the evaluation process is to schedule an appointment and fill out the intake packet. During the interview, patients are asked to complete several series psychological tests that assess personality traits, family health history, pain history and levels, and the underlying causes of pain.
COST
$500 (report included)
LENGTH
Approximately 90 min
REPORT
Generally, 5-7 p long
TURN-AROUND TIME
Approximately 21 days
REQUIREMENTS
Any supportive document
DELAYS
We may recommend that your surgery be delayed if there are serious concerns about the patient’s psychological stability. If they are disqualified, our goal is to offer them potential solutions to correct the problem and assist with developing a stable support network.
REPORT
Providers will be notified when the evaluation is completed and the report is faxed to their facility. Any scheduled appointment may be kept as long as they fall outside of the turnaround period it takes us to complete the evaluation to the surgery team. 
Complemental Treatment
We offer biofeedback and mindfulness treatment, which can be helpful in making chronic pain management more approachable. In fact, mindfulness practice can help you reduce your pain experience as it helps you focus and relax your mind and body and experience relief in the process. Mindfulness involves letting your worries go and being present in the moment, accepting what is in your mind and what you are feeling without having to worry about it.
Typically, we conduct sessions every week and as your symptoms improve, you may be moved to biweekly sessions and then monthly sessions, with the end goal of seeing you manage your chronic pain so that you can continue with your daily routines.
Important Tips
  • Remember to chew your food well
  • Avoid nutrient deficiency
  • Do not drink liquids during your meal
  • Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration
  • Avoid foods high in sugar
  • Limit foods that are high in fat
  • Do not overeat consistently as your stomach may stretch over time.
  • Consume foods high in protein to promote healing and your baseline metabolism.
  • Become familiar with the amount of food your stomach can hold
Become Aware
Your Support System
Family members and allies.
Your Potential Triggers
Internal and external factors.
Your Potential Challenges
Eating attitudes & behaviors
Reasons For Your Habits
Personality and preferences
Your Barriers & Obstacles
What keeps you off track.