Shots, Surgery, Pills Or Are There Better Ways to Pay for Pain Management?
Dear Friends,
I recently read an article published in Vermont Medicine that really got me thinking and I wanted to share it with you; "Study Shows Better Way to Pay for Pain Management".
When we have a pain issue, our medical system typically pays for things like shots, pills, and surgeries. Often these are a blessing, and can help those with unrelenting pain manage each day. But, sometimes these approaches don't work, and addiction, or despair and depression set in.
Jon Porter M.D., the Director of the UVM Medical; Center Comprehensive Pain Program, "knows that yoga, nutrition, mindfulness, massage, and acupuncture can help people manage pain more effectively than traditional approaches." But, as we all know, our health insurance won't often cover these types of care.
Dr. Porter and a team of researchers gathered qualitative data from people who participated in 13 weeks of evidence-based integrative therapies paid by for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont. The program aims to "support participants self-efficacy and provide tools for coping with pain, while measuring health improvements and impact on health care spending."
The researchers wanted to demonstrate a different approach to pain has value, and Blue Cross wants to know that it really works. Insurance companies want subscribers to become healthier, have better outcomes, and to reduce costs. This study was based on a values-based care model. It's the opposite of the traditional "fee for service" model. Medical providers are financially incentivized for meeting better health outcomes.
In the study participants received regular group meetings, which may have helped them make supportive connections with others.
Also included:
Gentle Movement Classes
Group Culinary Medicine Classes in a Kitchen
Massage
Acupuncture
Reiki
Physical Therapy
Substance Abuse Counseling
The preliminary results are encouraging: people are getting better. They reported: "reduced pain, improved physical function, better sleep, fewer visits to primary care, and emergency departments for pain relief." Blue Cross is looking at the claims data and "are satisfied". They found this kind of care a reasonable investment.
The next question: can this study be replicated?
I'm thrilled that main-stream medicine is moving in a direction to help people feel more empowered to take steps to deal with pain. And this study gave me a lot to reflect on because for so many years I've seen first hand evidence that yoga, sleep, movement, good food, and community support can help people heal.
If we suffer from pain, we know that over time it can get worse. I'm so excited about this study because there is the potential for people to make changes in their 30's or 40's that completely change the trajectory of their pain. This means their 50's, 60's and 70's could be so much better, their gains and the cost savings go on for decades. It's super cool, and an entire paradigm shift.