Thanks to Pain Relief Partners, now I can…

Now I Can __________ is a regular comment made at Pain Relief Partners. Often patients experience changes in their pain levels that allow them to participate in life in ways they did not think they would be able to. Some patients come in with a specific goal in mind, and the team at Pain Relief Partners helps them reach that goal utilizing several of the therapies they offer in their clinic. Improvements, big and small, are celebrated at the clinic. Sometimes the celebration includes hugs, smiles, laughter, or tears. There is a Wall of Thanks in the waiting room, and patients write things on the wall that they are thankful for. Comments include “No more migraines,” “I can feel my feet,” “Great pain relief,” and “family.”

Pain Relief Partners also celebrates Thursdays with “Thankful Thursday” photos with their patients. These pictures are taken in front of the Wall of Thanks with the patient holding a white board that says: “I Love Pain Relief Partners! Now I Can: _________.” Nurse Practitioner and Clinic Owner Stephanie Jones recognizes the importance of acknowledging the achievements the patient has had in their pain relief journey. “Many of our patients have experienced persistent pain for years. We see the value in being aware of the progress that is made. There have been many times someone from our team has teared up as a patient has told us how grateful they are that they can turn their head without pain or play with their grandchildren or travel. I have the best job. I have a great team. We get to help people heal every day.”

The clinic has three parties every year, Patient Appreciation in Spring, their anniversary party in September, and a holiday party in December. Jones says, “We truly love our patients and we like to spend time with them outside of treatment. Patients have a chance to get to know one another and we get to show them our appreciation for them as people and for their trust in us to give them care. We eat together, laugh, tell stories, and get to know the family and friends they bring to the parties. It is a lot of fun!” Their 2-year anniversary is coming up, and the party will be on the afternoon of Thursday, September 19^th. The community is invited but asked to RSVP so the clinic can provide enough food for everyone to enjoy.

The team at Pain Relief Partners knows how important it is for them to practice thankfulness together. In August, they implemented Team Thankful Thursdays. It is a time for them to share things they have been thankful for throughout the work week. Some of these are related to work and others are personal. “When we live aware of the positive things in our lives, it helps our mindset. There is a lot of research demonstrating the benefit of gratitude, so as a clinic, we make the effort to be grateful together,” says Jones.

Interestingly, each employee at Pain Relief Partners experiences their own pain issues. Jones notes, “Dealing with persistent pain has allowed all of us to extend more empathy and compassion to our patients. We know what it is like to hurt and each of us has been in the position of wondering if we will get better. We have experienced similar symptoms that our patients have, and I think that allows us to give the quality of care that we do. We also understand the challenge of finding things to be thankful for while we are in physical pain, but somehow, together, we do.”

You may have realized by now that Pain Relief Partners is not the typical pain clinic. Even the feel of the clinic is different. The Wall of Thanks is visible as soon as you walk through the front doors. Hand-painted wooden signs hang on walls with words of encouragement: “Hope for Healing,” “Never Give Up,” “I Can and I Will.” Patients laugh and smile with the staff. People are greeted by name. The Upcoming Events board contains bright colors letting patients know about educational events or community events the team is involved in. This is a place where people find healing and hope. Does the hope lead to healing or the healing lead to hope? “A little of both,” says Jones. “When a patient has hope that maybe they can get better, maybe they can live life with less pain, there is an opportunity for healing to take place.”

Pain Relief Partners
406 SE 131st Ave, #203,
Vancouver, WA 98683
P: (360) 433-9580
F: (866) 824-5107
www.loweryourpain.com
On Facebook: @painreliefpartners
On Instagram: @stemcellstephanie