Session Six
Physical Health
Almost half of the patients within VA healthcare settings experience pain on a regular basis. Since there is such a high prevalence of veterans suffering from chronic pain and co-occurring mental/physical health issues, it is necessary to find the right treatment approach to address both conditions.
Here we will discuss chronic pain, effective psychological interventions that target chronic pain and resources for pain management/treatment.
Immediately below are videos. If you scroll down further, there is a list of resources provided for you to explore. Inclusion of any video or resource does not mean endorsement by Friends' Health Connection. Each resource should be vetted properly by you to make sure the information is accurate and that it's a fit for you.
Featured Videos
Veterans - Chronic pain
Veterans - Chronic pain
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain
New research centre will address chronic pain among veterans
Cutting-Edge Pain Treatment at the Veterans Administration (Part 2)
Resources
US Pain Foundation
The mission of the U.S. Pain Foundation is to educate, connect, inform and empower those living with pain. As a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving those who live with pain conditions, the US Pain Foundation helps individuals find resources and inspiration.
Catch a Lift
Through granted fitness programs nationwide, Catch A Lift is mentally and physically healing veterans one by one.The group's mission is from pain to purpose.
Stanford Pain Management Center at Stanford University Medical Center
www.med.stanford.edu/pain.html
The Stanford Pain Management Center, a leading pain treatment center, has resources, information and videos for people living with chronic pain.
Global Pain Initiative
https://www.globalpaininitiative.org/
The Global Pain Initiative is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to transform the way pain is understood, assessed and treated. Visit this website for advice on managing different types of pain and information on new studies.
International Association of Yoga Therapists
IAYT supports research and education in yoga and serves as a professional organization for yoga teachers and yoga therapists worldwide. The organization aims to establish yoga as a recognized and respected therapy. Visit this site for find out more about yoga therapy and how to find the right program for you.
American Society of Acupuncturists
Visit the American Society of Acupuncturists to find a practitioner in your state and learn about how acupuncture could help your condition.
American Tai Chi and Qi Gong Association
http://www.americantaichi.org/
The ATCQA is a great resource for patients looking to learn about the benefits of tai chi and qi gong in pain management for conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, mental illness, and so on.
Arthritis Foundation
This nonprofit organization produces research updates, a bimonthly magazine called Arthritis Today, and more than 100 consumer publications. Its website has comprehensive information for patients suffering with arthritis.
Alliance for Balanced Pain Management
This alliance calls for greater understanding and access to balanced pain management, and disseminates the latest news on managing pain.
Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy (AHDA)
https://allianceforheadacheadvocacy.org/
Organizer of the annual Headache on the Hill.
Alliance for the Treatment of Intractable Pain
The nonprofit works to promote near-term sea changes in public consciousness and government policy, implementing a needed balance between appropriate treatment of intractable pain, versus addressing a real but presently misdefined “addiction crisis” in America and Canada.
Alliance to Advance Comprehensive Integrative Pain Management
http://painmanagementalliance.org/
American Academy of Medical Acupuncture
http://www.medicalacupuncture.org/
The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture is the professional society of physicians who have incorporated acupuncture into their traditional medical practices. Explore this site to learn more about acupuncture and to find out if it would be beneficial for your condition.
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
Visit this site for a vast array of information on injuries and diseases of your body’s musculoskeletal system—how they are treated, as well as how they can be prevented.
American Academy of Pain Medicine
This organization represents doctors in the field of pain medicine. The website also has a patient education center and doctor locator.
American Chronic Pain Association
Great resources, including videos, on this pain-patient oriented website that also has information on various pain conditions, pain management for each and drug and non-drug therapies. Website also has a comprehensive listing of local support groups and information for Veterans.The website also has information about transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which can interrupt the transmission of pain messages to the brain and help in the treatment of certain chronic pain problems.
American Massage Therapy Association
The professional association for massage therapists offers a therapist locator service and access to the latest research on the health benefits of massage therapy.
American Migraine Foundation (AMF)
www.americanmigrainefoundation.org
AMF is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of research and awareness surrounding migraine headaches. Its mission is to mobilize a community for patient support and provide a wealth of up to date information on living with and treating migraines.
American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society
The official patient education site of the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society, FootCareMD, is designed as a powerful education resource to learn about your foot condition and treatments, as well as aiding informed decisions about foot care health.
American Physical Therapy Association
This site offers a vast array of information on preventing and treating pain conditions, and maintaining good posture throughout life. The website can also help you locate physical therapists near you.
Biofeedback Certification International Alliance
In additional to fostering the certification of biofeedback practitioners, the website has a search engine to help you access practitioners with various specialties.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a useful resource for arthritis and cancer patients. The website offers scientifically accurate information in a variety of formats, including: videos, podcasts, printed publications, and blogs.
Chronic Illness Advocacy & Awareness Group
The Chronic Illness Advocacy & Awareness Group envisions a world where those with chronic illnesses/painful conditions are guaranteed appropriate care and access to prescription opioid medications without stigma, fear or push-back, particularly from the medical community.
Chronic Pain Research Alliance
The Chronic Pain Research Alliance promotes high quality research on chronic overlapping pain conditions, discusses treatment effectiveness, and publishes Cutting Edge, an electronic newsletter developed to keep the medical-scientific community abreast of research advances.
Coalition For Headache and Migraine Patients
The Coalition For Headache And Migraine Patients (CHAMP) provides support to people with headache, migraine and cluster diseases who are stigmatized and under-served. The coalition includes 12 national headache and migraine patient advocacy groups. By working together, CHAMP advances the causes of more research funding, increased public understanding of headache diseases, and improved treatment options for those battling these debilitating conditions.
Facial Pain Advocacy Alliance
The world's only patient-led 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to serving the chronic facial pain community.
International Pain Foundation (iPain)
iPain provides services that address needs of chronic pain patients with conditions such as RSD/CRPS, post cancer pain, fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, lyme, lupus, and more. Not only does the website provide comprehensive learning resources from healthcare professionals through articles and webinars, but it also has a social network and organizes events for pain patients.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
This government agency disseminates a wealth of science-based information on the safety and efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) techniques.
National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Use this site to search for acupuncture professionals by region.
National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association
This organization promotes scientific research on various pain conditions and provides information for those suffering with them. The website features contacts for support groups and frequently asked questions.
National Headache Foundation
This foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of people suffering from headaches. The website has useful resources for managing headaches, as well as a personalized, interactive tool to guide you to pain relief.
Neurological Disorders and Pain
Learn more about managing pain from neurological disorders. The Cleveland Clinic has resources, information and hosts a community board where patients with chronic pain from neurological disorders can exchange information.
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
NORD is a nonprofit patient advocacy organization dedicated to the individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them. NORD and its more than 260 pateint organization members, is committed to the identification, treatment and cure of rare disorders through education, advocacy, research and patient services.
Pain News Network
Pain News Network is a non-profit online news service that provides in-depth coverage about chronic pain and pain management. The group's mission is to raise awareness about chronic pain, and to connect and educate pain sufferers, caregivers, healthcare providers and the public about the pain experience.
Defense & Veterans Center for Integrative Pain Medicine
Innovative pain treatments, research and policy initiatives to improve the management of pain in military and civilian medicine.
Department of Defense, Patient Safety
The official website of the military health system. Resources for creating a culture of patient safety and quality.
Mesothelioma Veterans Center
https://www.mesotheliomaveterans.org/
US veterans make up more than 30% of all patients suffering from malignant mesothelioma.
MOVE! Weight Management Program
MOVE! is a weight management, health promotion program designed to improve the lives of Veterans. Easy to follow programs based on the most up-to-date nutrition science, MOVE!'s ideas encourage healthy eating, more physical activity and weight loss.
Veterans in Pain
Veterans In Pain, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit providing alternative solutions for Veterans suffering from chronic pain by connecting civilian physicians with our country’s Heroes.