Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force Report
Complementary and integrative health has been shown to be an effective alternative or addition to pain medication for many patients. A wide range of CIH therapies, such as acupuncture and yoga, are proving valuable in helping Veterans manage their pain. Pain physicians are often fellowship-trained board-certified anesthesiologists, neurologists, physiatrists, emergency physicians, or psychiatrists. The components of cannabis that most studies focus on for pain relief are cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol . Today, chronic pain affects more people than cancer, heart disease, and diabetes combined. Chronic pain is the most common cause of long-term disability in the United States. Non-drug therapies can reduce negative outcomes—Non-drug therapies may help military service members with chronic pain and could reduce the risk of adverse outcomes like substance use disorders and suicide attempts later in life. Researchers found there was no significant difference in pain-related funct...