Research Update: Non-Drug Therapies May Improve Outcomes for Soldiers with Chronic Pain
Recent VA research offers some good news for soldiers living with chronic pain. Analysis shows that service members who receive non-drug therapies – which include TENS electrotherapy – as part of their pain treatment plans may have lower long-term risks for alcohol and drug disorders, as well as self-induced injuries.
“If non-drug treatments make chronic pain more bearable, people may be more likely to have positive experiences in life,” says lead scientist Dr. Esther Meerwijk. “That makes them less likely to have thoughts of suicide or to turn to drugs.”
Results Drawn from Large-Scale Pain Study
Dr. Meerwijk, a researcher at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, and her team reviewed the VA health records of more than 140,000 Army soldiers who reported chronic pain following deployments from 2008-2014. Most commonly reported pain included joint pain, back and neck issues, and other musculoskeletal problems.
Their analysis found that active duty service members with chronic pain who received non-drug therapies were at significantly lower risk for alcohol and/or drug use, poisoning with opioids and related narcotics, and self-inflicted injuries after transitioning to VA healthcare.
In fact, those who received non-drug therapies were 35 percent less likely to injure themselves than those who didn’t receive such therapies while in the service. Additionally, soldiers who received non-drug treatments while in service were also at lower long-term risk for adverse outcomes. Specifically, they were:
8 percent less likely to have alcohol or drug use disorders
17 percent less likely to have self-inflicted injuries, including suicide attempts
12 percent less likely to experience suicidal ideation
The non-drug therapies the soldiers received included acupuncture/dry needling, biofeedback, chiropractic care, massage, exercise therapy, cold laser therapy, osteopathic spinal manipulation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and other electrical manipulation, ultrasonography, superficial heat treatment, traction, other physical therapy, and lumbar supports.
The Rise of Non-Opioid Therapies
Pain is a well-documented condition among Veterans, with more than 50 percent of VA primary care patients suffering from chronic pain. It’s also a well-established risk factor for opioid use disorder and opioid-related overdose.
Recognizing these risks as far back as the early 2000s, the medical community – including the VA and its Whole Health initiative – began incorporating non-opioid therapies such as chiropractic manipulation and exercise therapy, as well as options like yoga, acupuncture and electrotherapy into its chronic pain treatment plans.
For the VA, this change stemmed from an objective to reduce patient dependence on opioids and more effectively treat complex medical issues like chronic pain and PTSD. It dovetails with the scientific recognition that Veterans experience mental health disorders, substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury at disproportionate rates compared to their civilian counterparts.
Review the Complete Study
This recently published research is part of a larger study, the Substance Use and Psychological Injury Combat Study (SUPIC), which is the largest and longest study of pain management and behavioral health conditions in Army service members.
Take the Next Step
If you’re a healthcare provider interested in learning more about non-opioid pain management options for your patients, complete the form below and check the box to receive a virtual product demo of the RS-4i® Plus. Then judge for yourself how this Interferential therapy device, which has helped over 11,000 Veterans nationwide, can work for your patients.
Related Resources
Blog: The Connection Between Pain & PTSD
Blog: Chronic Pain in the VA, by the Numbers
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