The Center for Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) specializes in the care and treatment of children and adolescents with amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome (AMPS). Our dedicated multidisciplinary team uses a variety of therapies and support services to help youth return to full function and typical activities of daily living, including school, activities and social life.

Our core values

Our center was created on the core values of respect and responsibility to self and others. Successful treatment for AMPS is a collaboration between the patient, family and our AMPS team.

Together, we strive to help children affected by AMPS to discover life balance, flexibility, humor and mindful communication with the goals of fostering independence, helping children “own” their recovery and express their creativity. We support the physical, social, emotional and spiritual well-being of our patients and their families.

A full range of services

Treatment for AMPS occurs in phases – typically, the pain lessens over time with guided support from physicians and therapists, and activities with physical and occupational therapists.

We offer varying levels of support based on your child’s needs, including:

• A musculoskeletal consultative clinic, in which our team assesses your child and provides individualized treatment recommendations.
• Outpatient treatment services. Most of our patients begin treatment with outpatient services and follow-up in our pain clinic every 3-4 weeks. Outpatient treatment may include psychotherapy, an individualized aerobic exercise program, structured physical and occupational therapy services, introduction of desensitization techniques, creative arts therapy and school re-entry planning.
• An intensive and therapeutic hospital treatment program. This rigorous program includes five hours of therapeutic physical and occupational therapy a day, psychotherapy, music and art therapy, as well as emotional support for patients and their families.

Learn more about the three distinct phases of AMPS treatment at CHOP and how parents can support their children through the process.

Excellent patient outcomes

Our AMPS team carefully tracks short- and long-term outcomes for patients with amplified musculoskeletal pain who have been treated at CHOP. All patients who have completed treatment in our Center have exhibited positive change in their functional ability as measured by the Functional Disability Inventory (FDI). They have successfully returned to full function and normal functional activities including school, friendships and sports.

In our published reports of 103 children with complex regional pain syndrome (AMPS Type I) treated at CHOP:

• 100% became fully functional
• 92% became completely symptom-free
• 85% did not experience any significant relapse after treatment
• 88% of treated patients were still doing well 5 years after treatment

The goal of AMPS treatment is to return your child or teen to typical functioning without pain. Treatment focuses on a return to function and wellness – often before the pain goes away completely. We use aerobic exercise to increase cardiovascular tone, desensitization therapies to dull pain sensors, and individualized outpatient therapy to learn coping strategies and stress management.

While each patient may require a different level of support at different parts of their journey, our AMPS team – including pediatric rheumatologists, psychologists, social workers, creative arts therapists and others – is available to help.