Pediatric Pain & Palliative Care

Whole-child care for pain and serious illness

Helping your child feel well goes beyond treating their illness. At the Stad Center for Pediatric Pain, Palliative & Integrative Medicine, we draw on a range of techniques – from the latest medical advances to ancient healing methods – to care for the whole child.

Whether your child has a serious health condition or is going through a difficult treatment, we're here to help. We work to ease pain, anxiety, nausea and other symptoms while supporting mental health, healing and well-being.

Our program is one of the most comprehensive of its kind in the nation. We blend pain management, palliative medicine (comfort-focused care) and integrative therapies, such as massage and meditation, to give kids the most relief possible with the fewest side effects. We work with children of all ages to help them live life with less pain and more joy.

Our doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers and complementary medicine providers specialize in caring for pediatric patients. They work closely with your child's other doctors to coordinate care.

Pediatric palliative care

Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life for children with serious illnesses, such as cancer, heart disease and genetic conditions. Our specialists treat symptoms and side effects of treatment.

We work closely with parents and caregivers to ensure the care plan respects your family's values, culture and preferences. We also help families cope with the challenges of serious illness, grief and important medical decisions.

Patients can benefit from palliative care at any stage of illness. Palliative care can help with symptoms such as:

• Anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns

• Eating and sleeping difficulties

• Fatigue

• Nausea

• Pain

Pediatric pain management

We help ease pain from injuries and illnesses, such as cancer and sickle cell disease. Our pain medicine specialists use many methods to keep your child as comfortable as possible, including medications, psychotherapy, physical rehabilitation and mind-body practices.

Learn more about our pain management techniques.

Pediatric amplified pain rehabilitation

Our Pediatric Amplified Pain Rehabilitation (PAPR) Program provides specialized inpatient care for children with primary pain syndromes. In these conditions, an overactive nervous system sends pain signals, even though there is no clear injury or illness.

Primary pain disorders include amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome and juvenile fibromyalgia.

Our program is nationally recognized for our expertise, and families travel from across the country to receive care here.

Who is the PAPR program for?

This program is for children whose prolonged pain has significantly affected their ability to function. They may be missing school, sports or their regular activities. Most of the children who come to us have already tried standard treatments, such as medication, physical therapy and psychotherapy, without success.

What does the PAPR program involve?

Children stay overnight in our hospital for three to four weeks. During that time, our team works to address the physical, mental and emotional challenges of the pain.

We help each child set goals and slowly rebuild their function, movement and stamina. Whether their goal is to return to a sport or get through a full school day, we help them build the coping skills and confidence to get there.

Our doctor-led team includes physical therapists, occupational therapists and psychologists. Each expert works one-on-one with your child. We also offer integrative medicine services, such as acupuncture and massage for pain relief and relaxation.

What happens after leaving the hospital?

We provide follow-up care after your family returns home. We check in at one, three, six and 12 months to make sure your child is on track. We can also connect your child to counselors or psychotherapists for continued support.