Outpatient Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome (AMPS) Treatment

The majority of children seen the Center for Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome will begin treatment with outpatient services with follow-up in our pain clinic every 3-4 months.

If your child with amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome (AMPS) is not making adequate functional progress over time, we may recommend treatment in our therapeutic hospital treatment program.

Outpatient treatment for amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome includes:

• recommendations for individual outpatient psychotherapy services (individual therapy, family therapy)
• a program of aerobic exercise and introduction of desensitization techniques
• in many cases, recommendation for an appointment with our physical and occupational therapists, who have vast knowledge in the treatment of amplified pain. They will evaluate your child, develop an individualized exercise plan to follow at home, and discuss other healthy lifestyle options for age and skill-appropriate exercise.

Outpatient treatment may also include:

• structured outpatient physical and occupational services.
• school re-entry planning for children with AMPS who miss school or are out of school receiving home bound instruction. The recommendation is often to transition back into the school environment as part of treatment. Our social worker will work with you and your child’s school to coordinate a detailed transition plan and ensure that school re-entry goes as smoothly as possible.