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Pediatric Pain Clinic

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Chronic pain is a significant problem in the pediatric population, conservatively estimated to affect 15% to 20% of children and adolescents.


Children and their families experience significant emotional and social consequences as a result of pain and disability.

The Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Division of Pediatric Pain Medicine uses a multidisciplinary model to treat children's acute, and chronic pain for inpatient and outpatient settings.

Our faculty members lecture locally about pediatric pain management topics. We use the latest information in clinical care, research, education, and advocacy to ensure that the children of Arkansas receive the best pain management available.

Our multidisciplinary team help patients and their families minimize discomfort and regain function in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Possible Symptoms

  • Chronic headache pain
  • Back pain
  • Muscle pain
  • Arthritis
  • Nerve pain
  • Joint pain
  • CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome)
  • Cancer pain
  • Sickle cell crisis
  • Opioid weaning
  • Pain due to previous injury
  • Chronic abdominal pain
  • Neuropathic pain

Check Symptoms

Possible Conditions

Our clinic combines clinical services, research and education to provide care to children with numerous types of pain conditions including:

  • Post-surgical pain
  • Recent trauma
  • Pain associated with medical procedures
  • Pain associated with chronic medical problems
  • Palliative/comfort care

When visiting with the Pediatric Pain Clinic families should expect a comprehensive visit where we will learn all about your child and family. We will understand how the pain is affecting your whole child, not just the painful area. We will ask questions about school, sleep, mood and behavior in addition to traditional medical questions. A new patient appointment usually takes 2-3 hours.

A new patient can expect to see a physician, a pediatric psychologist and a nurse at each visit. You may also be seen by a physical therapist, occupation therapist, social worker, child life specialist or pharmacist.

Pain Questionnaire

Once a referral has been received, the parent or guardian must complete and return the age-appropriate questionnaire.

Questionnaires should be faxed to 501-364-2939, ATTN: Carolyn Martin, RN. or mailed to

Chronic Pain Management, ATTN: Carolyn Martin, RN
1 Children's Way, Slor 203
Little Rock, AR  72202

Download Questionnaire

Our talented team brings together experience and expertise from rehabilitation/physical therapy, nursing, psychology, and anesthesiology to treat pediatric pain in an integrated manner. Social Work is also available as needed. We believe (this is supported by literature too) the most effective results can be achieved using this multidisciplinary approach.

  • Carolyn Martin, RNP
  • Jill Whitehead, RN

Location

Possible Treatments

Inpatient Pain Consultation Service

The Inpatient Pain Consultation Service consults with primary care teams about your child’s pain. This ensures your child’s pain is adequately assessed and treated.

Acute pain is one of the most common adverse symptoms experienced by children, occurring as a result of injury, illness, and necessary medical procedures. Acute pain is often associated with increased anxiety, avoidance, behavioral changes and parental distress.

Acute pain can be managed in our inpatient units where we see children that are referred by the patient’s primary care team.

Outpatient Chronic Pain Clinic

Outpatient services clinic is where we see kids with chronic pain from all types: cancer, muscle, autoimmune, sickle cell, headaches, abdominal etc.

The resources below provide education on chronic pain, medication management, procedural interventions (such as nerve blocks and steroid injections), psychological support, sleep management and develop new coping skills.

Coakley, R. (2016). When Your Child Hurts: Effective Strategies to Increase Comfort, Reduce Stress, and Break the Cycle of Chronic Pain. Yale University Press.

Zeltzer, L & Zelter P. Pain in Children & Young Adults. The Journey back to normal. Shilysca Press

Christy, E.M. (2014). Why Does Mommy Hurt?: Helping Children Cope with the Challenges of Having Caregiver with Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, or Autoimmune Disease. Outskirts Press.

Culbert, T. & Kajander, R. (2007). Be the Boss of Your Pain: Self-Care for Kids. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Free Spirit Publications.

Ingle, T. & Ingle, B. (2014). Aunt Barby’s Invisible, Endless Owie. Bk Publishing.

Johnston, N. (2014). The Worst Pain in the World. Arthritis Foundation of Victoria.

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