Columbia VA’s Outpatient Interdisciplinary Pain Program (OIPP) offers a holistic approach to managing chronic pain, addressing not only the physical aspects but also the emotional and psychological factors. This innovative program offers Veterans the tools and knowledge they need to manage their pain and improve their quality of life.
Chronic pain can have a significant impact on a Veteran’s ability to function in daily life, affecting everything from work and social activities to sleep and emotional health. The OIPP provides Veterans with a comprehensive treatment plan that goes beyond pain medication to include a combination of education, therapy and support.
“We know that pain is a multifaceted issue so we approach it from a variety of angles,” said Deborah Reyes, program director. “Each component of the program is designed to help Veterans develop lifelong skills to manage their pain, improve their functioning and enhance their overall well-being.”
Veterans in the program will participate in weekly group sessions and individual appointments with various specialists.
- Pain management education: Veterans learn about the physiological processes behind pain and how to take an active role in managing it.
- Physical therapy: Tailored exercise routines are developed to increase strength, mobility and flexibility, helping to reduce pain and improve movement.
- Psychological support: Cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness techniques are taught to help Veterans cope with the emotional and psychological challenges that often accompany chronic pain.
- Whole health approach: The program treats the entire body with education on nutrition, sleep, medication use and body science. We utilize a variety of treatments that compliment traditional approaches to address pain, such as adaptive yoga, tai chi, acupressure and battlefield acupuncture.
Pictured above, physical therapist Amanda Brooks walks with Veteran Regina McFarlan during the exercise portion of the program.
An opportunity for mutual learning in a supportive environment
Group sessions, which take place weekly, are a key part of the program. “Group settings offer peer support, where Veterans can share their experiences and offer advice to one another. It’s an opportunity for mutual learning in a safe, supportive environment,” Reyes said.
The program runs in six-week cycles, alternating between in-person and virtual groups with new groups starting about every three months. Veterans also have one-on-one appointments with a pain social worker throughout the program to help personalize their treatment goals.
Group sizes are kept to a small number of 6-10 Veterans, ensuring each participant receives personalized attention and care. Veterans in the program will not only engage in education and therapy but will also practice new strategies, incorporating them into their daily routines. The program encourages consistency and dedication, making it important for participants to commit to the full six weeks.
“I didn’t think I had time for a six-week program, but I’m so glad I stuck with it,” said Army Veteran Juan Lanzot. “The tools I’ve learned have made a real difference in how I manage my pain day-to-day.”
“It taught me strategies I still use every day.”
Veterans who complete the virtual and in-person programs report a significant improvement in both their physical and emotional well-being. Army Veteran Diane Balog shared her experience: “I had been living with chronic pain for years and nothing seemed to help. This was my last hope, and I’m so glad I took the chance. I didn’t think I could find a way to deal with my pain, but this program showed me a whole new perspective. It taught me strategies that I still use every day. The psychological support in the program was life changing. It didn’t just focus on the pain. It also helped me handle the emotional side of living with chronic pain. It was the first time in years that I felt like I was in control of my life again.”
Lanzot emphasized how the program helped him in ways he didn’t anticipate. “At first, I didn’t think I could commit to such a long program. But now that I’ve completed it, I see how worth it it was. The program gave me tools that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.”
The program provides Veterans with a new perspective on pain management, one that doesn’t rely solely on medications but instead offers strategies for long-term coping and healing.
Veterans leave the program with improved mobility, a better understanding of their pain and a greater sense of confidence in managing it. Whether Veterans are struggling with everyday tasks, social interactions, or simply coping with the stress of living with pain, the program provides the support needed to move forward.
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Good morning, I read the article, and I was wondering if they’re programs that can help veterans like me in Texas. I been living in Texas I feel all my life and keep running into problems with getting into any of the programs I get emails about. It’s like every time I seek rep I lose time off my life. Because the last rep yes, she helps me get some of my disability back helping me, but I try to get in contact with the office and now the office doesn’t exist. this keep happening in Texas and it did it to me when I was in MDVA all the programs that I was supposed to get into and help from became harder to get into and the reps were hard to get in contact with. I really would like to get clarity on this issue that keeps happening to me. Thank you
More VA bullsh-t to justify them cutting off vets from pain meds. The VA uses suicides of vets in their numbers of reduction of prescribed opioids. The VA goal is to stop all opioid prescriptions if the vet dies so be it. One less they have to deal with.
I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS UP COMING 6 WEEKS
There was no chronic pain treatment when I had it, though perhaps that was because the DVA practitioner misdiagnosed the cause of my pain. They diagnosed knee pain when it was actually referred pain from hips that should have been replaced. Multiple DVA practitioners missed this.
I did one of these as part of a DBT group. It worked for me. Unfortunately, I am allergic to the good pain meds (codeine, morphine, hydrocodone and such) so I have to be creative in trying new ways to deal with the pain. For some reason taking cold baths helps settle the nerves and reduces the twitches. Cold is my friend now. I do wish the VR treatment was more accessible. The Snow World session was amazing! When I ended that session, I was ready to go climb Everest, actually just a flight of stairs, but I had energy, was motivated and distracted enough to get a little distance from the constant drain of pain. If that was available closer to me (currently over two hours away) I would definitely take advantage of that. Another thing that helped was the Chronic Pain scale as opposed to the regular “from 0-10 how is your pain today” BS. I found out I am normal on the Chronic Pain scale. Telling doctors at the VA you are a 10 on a regular basis just makes them tune out. If you have the opportunity to use the Chronic Pain scale and give it to your doctors (medicine is a practice, remember) you can get on a truer pain level so they may understand a little better. Anything that works for you is a win.
No worries VA I am so fed up with pain and the BS I go thru with health care, that I am not going to put up with it much longer any way.
Not sure it is any different anywhere. We get old and hurt, be from injuries or exposures to chemicals used while we served. Doctors and generally people don’t want to listen to you when you complain or try to explain something most likely they will not be able to relate to.
I have suffered from exposure to agent orange. Got arthritis, Ray Nauds, and according to this or the other doctor lupus and then not. Fibromyalgia and other degenerative tissue disease’s. So weird they will issue pain pill over pain pill and then you get a new doctor and they change them. Other things like psych drugs they just stop and not step you down or decide you need this anti-whatever. It is so awesome they know more about me in 20 minutes than i do although I have been me over 70 years.
Here’s one, I said I thought 1 pill made me suicidal…. lol they stopped it was an opiod. I told them another caused it and they just pushed more and now we find that it causes cancer, and yep they just stopped it without a step down psych and nerve pain. Love withdrawal. Not the first time, gonna be my last tho.
With this said you know where I stand or not, cause I can’t stand much more. And I have spoke to many nurses and doctors outside of VA that work at the VA. Ain’t nothin they can or will do. They don’t make the rules…. bean counters do.
Will this be offered at Dorn Va Hospital in Columbia, SC? hb and I both veterans living with chronic pain
I need help.
I Am Suffering With Carpal Tunnel As Well As Arthritis Pain, I Have Not Been Able To Get The Help That I Need With Monitoring This Pain.
I was in U of Chicago pain center as inpatient for four weeks. Some 40 years ago.
I believe the Bio feedback was one the more helpful service for me. Should have been longer and equipment given to use on our own, just saying.
I have been dealing with managing my pain since the mid 80’s and it has come to a standstill or maybe worse as my Pain Management Doctor has his hands in handcuffs from the CDC saying to much opioids are being prescribed added to the so called ” Opioid Crisis” and if they , the doctors, don’t lesson the use they may be subject to license issues. What I don’t understand is why the CDC hasn’t put this crisis into two categories, 1. Being regular prescribed opioid from your pain management doctor and used in accordance between the doctor and patient and this works well.
2. The other of this crisis being that of illegal use and purchase of opioids on the street and uncontrolled causing a large amount of deaths by improper use or street drugs laced with other ingredients that cause these deaths. This part of the crisis has caused the well controlled part #1 to be infiltrated with these bad results making the quality controlled part look like the same as part 2 ultimately having the CDC compare both as one again and the GOOD patients ultimately suffer under these conditions being treated as drug abusers on the street level. The CDC has got to stop treating good law abiding patients like criminals and allow their pain management doctors to provide them with the care needed outside of this crisis that doesn’t exist within the quality controlled management.
Now off the bandwagon and agree with Paul Ruff that the use of Biofeedback is and does work for help with controlling pain by the use of hypnosis. I remember using the cassette recorded tape at lunch for 5 minutes and upon awaking I had felt refreshed as it I had the best sleep in a daily rest of 8-10 hours. Since the late 1980’s I have not seen Biofeedback in use and really miss that 30 minute lunch session.
I think this is a good program for constant pain. A person with pain has to not only deal with daily pain, but their mental health and socializing with family and friends.