“TelePain led me from silently struggling to shared healing.”
For years after leaving the service, Marine Corps Veteran William Anthony Zullo’s body had become a ledger of old battles—more than 20 surgeries, chronic pain in almost every joint and migraines so fierce they could drop him where he stood. On damp, gray mornings in his Philadelphia neighborhood, even the simplest tasks became obstacles that required the same grit he once used while on deployment.
Most nights when the pain peaked and the migraines pulsed behind his eyes, Zullo slipped quietly from the bedroom and into the dim light of the living room, where he waited for dawn and tried to outlast the darkness. Those hours were the loneliest, when his Marine mentality—push through it, get it done, no complaining—felt less like strength and more like constraints.
Finally, Zullo turned to VA and his Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 4 TelePain Program to help manage his pain.
The power of a first impression
The TelePain program changed the way he felt on the very first day. A room full of professionals spoke to him online as if his pain mattered. The doctors and nurses talked about what it meant to hurt at two in the morning, to pace the house while everyone else slept and to navigate the day on a few hours of rest. He began to realize he was no longer fighting this war alone, and week by week, the distance between those long nights and the daylight shrank.
Nick Vlasic, a physical therapist and fellow Marine, gave him a simple exercise plan and a challenge: Don’t ignore the pain, but work with your body instead of against it. Each week Vlasic added another small tool to his plan—breathing techniques, pacing strategies, and ways to recognize when a bad day was coming and how to soften the impact. The staff showed him equipment, devices and supports that made movement possible again. As he put their advice into practice, his old “balls to the wall” mindset evolved into a new kind of toughness: patience, consistency and self-respect.
From sleepless nights to second chances
On the final day of the program, Zullo listened to the stories of injury, fear and survival from his fellow Veterans. What struck him most was how hard the TelePain team worked to reach each person, whether they had seen combat or not, regardless of rank or background. He realized that the greatest gift he had received was not just less pain, but that others like him could find the same hope. He now wishes the TelePain program grows and that more Veterans will find their way into this virtual program.
A road to renewal
As Zullo’s 70th birthday approached, the man who once measured his life in sleepless nights began to count walks completed, exercises finished and mornings that started with something other than dread. Mentioning VA’s TelePain program at the hospital seemed to open doors that had once been closed or endlessly delayed; appointments came faster, procedures were scheduled and he felt, for the first time in years, like an honored Veteran rather than a forgotten file. He told the TelePain leaders, “Thank you for having changed my life!” Zullo especially credited Dr. Elizabeth Eckardt, and physical therapist Vlasic for speaking in a language Veterans understood and breaking down complex ideas into something real and usable.
Collaborative care for chronic pain management
The Transdisciplinary TelePain Program (TDTP) in VISN 4 is an 8-week, virtual pain-management course that meets for two hours each week. Co-facilitated by Behavioral Health and Physical Therapy—with support from Pharmacy, Dietary and Whole Health—the program offers a holistic, team-based approach to chronic pain. It teaches Veterans how to move responsibly and take an active role in their lives despite persistent pain, emphasizing self-management, functional improvement and overall well-being. After graduation, Veterans receive long-term follow-up to help sustain progress, maximize function and enhance quality of life.
To learn more, call 855-679-0952 and select option 2 to let the nurse know you would like more information about the VISN 4 Clinical Resource Hub (CRH) TelePain Program. The CRH is a national VA initiative that delivers high-quality virtual care to Veterans in rural and underserved areas.
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Migraines. They are so bad. To be so sick and to have residual neck and head pain after. The nausea and fatigue. The twitching sagging eyes. What is the option? Ive been through tests meds and more. I still resort to maxing out tylenol daily to function. I cant take other OTC meds. I am waiting for day that deep muscle massage and chiropractors are actually walk in clinics in VA. Can the readjust my aching stuck hip knee back neck head arm wrist? I hope one day.
No comment at this time Please
Pain management is integral to healing the rest of our bodies and our minds. Instead of handfuls of pills and never ending PT, my pain team has provided me tools so I can get relief at home. I will never be pain free, but with my medical marijuana and whole health support, I can handle the worst of it better. Grateful for the progress VA is making with teleheath and whole health programs, especially tai chi and acupuncture. We should definitely be pushing to provide our vets with medical marijuana options, it’s been so much less harmful than the pain meds the VA gave me for years.
Just called TPTD to have a rep call me back. This article inspired me to do so. I know the VA cannot work miracles (only God can). However, I am glad to know there are options that VA Pain Management Clinic should have routed me to. I am hoping this program can take the place of epidurals, ablations, meds, etc. Thanks for the information for knowledge is power and your health is your ultimate wealth. As a veteran we know freedom is not free and thanks to all vets for their service and sacrifice.
You deserve to live a life pain free.
Thank you much, glad to hear. Good luck
THAT SOUNDS REALLY GREAT. I AM SO GLAD VETS ARE GETTING HELP WITH PAIN. I AM 90 YEARS OLD, SERVED IN KOREA WITH THE FIRST MARINE DIVISION, FIRST SHORE PARTY PLATOON. I TURNED A WEAPONS CARRIER (m37) over in Korea when I slid off a road because everything was frozen and I could not see. The VA has turned down COMPENSATION 4 TIMES. THEY SAID MY BACK WAS NOT HURT WHILE IN SERVICE. I KNOW IT WAS. WE MARINES DO NOT SIT DOWN, WE CARRY ON. THEY WANTED TO KNOW WHY I DID NOT
GET HELP 60 YEARS AGO. I DID FROM CIVILIAN DOCTORS, BUT THEY SAID MY BACK WAS SO BAD THAT IT COULD NOT BE FIXED.
I TOLD THEM THAT AT THAT TIME THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT GOT HELP WERE AMPUTIES, THAT IS WHY.
Thank you Bruce
The question how long did it take va to recognize he is in pain and started treatment. I have had multiple issues with my back since 1984. Then 2000 MY L5 Taped my spinal cord and put me on the ground. Took me wanted to do emergency surgery I said hell until I fine a surgeon. So I found one they put a cage in but it was not the doctor doing the cutting some newbie they brought in!!! So i feel like shit after screaming in pain!! They had to put me out pain so bad. That was the beginning of the end of my life. I’m on recruiting duty using try care sent me to pain management started me on meds. 2004 hardware removal they couldn’t break 2 of the bolts loose so grounded the heads down left them in. 2013 I bend downward and something pop, 2 weeks later back in hospital screaming pain leg on fire it was from my toe inside top to my ass. 2 l3 surgeries 2 different doctors same out come couldn’t get that bone cleaned out. Nerve going through a round hole is being inpinged.
Nither doctor was successful. So pain management was the one to save me.
Dr. Satia was the only guy I could see. Started Oxy 50 with 5 vicodin dailey to watch me. So cut to the point the Doctor and I got it down to 15mg oxy and 4 vicodin to control my pain.
Yet when I asked about it with my VA doctor in Bradenton he was told I had to be in hospice before ca would issue any pain meds like that!! See no hope for me I have to be driven down to Sarasota every 3 months just to get my medicine. Because the government made everyone on pain pills are drug addict.!!! And distribution of the pills!!! So no doctors in Georgia or North Carolina!! Because they are scared to prescribe any due to the law coming after them so they do not treat war veteran to any thing!! So im stuck, in debt, dri ing to Florida every 3 month car problems, hotel bills its slowly killing me. Now they want me to disenrole from the Care Program that I was in because I can’t bend or twist can’t get dress, can’t shower Can’t Wipe my ass. Can’t remember when I took my pills. Pay my bills, keep me from killing someone watching the news gives me that ideas!! But can’t socialize don’t like crowds. I need to see 5 doctors now and trying to manage all that. Ohh, the point the Care program for needed disable veterans. Wants me to write a letter to remove myself off the program!!! Because I got a divorce because she couldn’t handle all that and work.
So I m9ve to North Carolina. I have found my care provider. To change her name !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Take one name off put hers on!!¡!!!!!!!!!!!! Put the Veteran in financial hardship just to change a name!!!!!!!! You see im one of the original lagacy members. They changed the standards so they started kicking off all these veterans that depend on that money. Congress got involved and said stop. You Need to reevaluate your program for all.
So that brings me into focus!!! Just to change a name they want me to request termination and REAPPLY WITH NO ASSURANCE OF GETTING BACK ON. Which im the poster boy of this program!!! Plus my new provider which is my future wife has years of medical assistance training. To include shots my previous didn’t have any idea on how bad i was going to get. I’m mostly in the bed. I have to rely on her everyday. So now I have to deal with this Caregivers support issues, on top of seeing multiple doctors. Just had a stroke and have a blocked Cerebral Artery!!! Trying to get and MRI setup!!
I’m a 67 yrs old and a veteran. I only spent 6 years in the Navy, non combat Service but in that time experienced more than any person would want to in a lifetime. Now some 46 years later I have to live with every kind of pain, imaginable. From physical to mental to spiritual and others. My pride has kept me from seeking the specific help I need. Nor can I afford what society calls good healthcare. I’m rated now at 70°/° and an opportunity to use VA healthcare.isnit truly worth it and affordable?
Hi Kelly! I lived daily pain just like you, and felt just as you with my pride, but one of the biggest things I found I got out of the program, was learning a new mentality. Today, at 70yrs old, I don’t have to be that hardheaded door knocking down Jarhead Marine that I was in the past. That built in mentality that was drilled into me from Boot Camp and never left me through life and played a role in all of my injuries and medical treatments that evolved over the years.
The physical and mental tools they patiently teach you, especially, “mind-fullness” and the reality of accepting the current vs the past and where are you are in life is invaluable and allowed me to transition to being in a different place. It is worth any veterans time to give this a shot and I truly believe there’s absolutely something to be gained!
good luck in your endeavors my fellow veteran
I’m positive just a whole lot of veterans run to this program and recover successfully. I really believe medicine can be conducted online and via the telephone or mobile phone. I’ll spread the word about this program and you should see a huge leap in volunteers. Cheers. Thank you for online pain relief. Ingenious.
Thank you CE. Awesome!
Great that this is offered & according to this article it helped this vet. Wished my husband (deceased now) had this program to help him with heart & lungs. Please make vets are informed about this program
So sorry for your loss…..and thank you Linda
So sorry for you loss Linda. And Thank you
Did my question go through?
I don’t know who will read this or respond. I have compression fractures and herniated discs, T11,12. I’m using hydrocodone since 1998. As of this winter, the pills are not helping anymore. What else can the VA give me for pain? I’m thinking of trying the cannabis gummies….? Has anyone had success with it? What else can I use?
Another gimmick program from the interventional pain management group within the VHA. Any excuse not to prescribe a safe and effective FDA approved opioid pain medication! Suicides have increased ten fold from the chronic pain community because of these gaslighting policies… A consult with the Easter Bunny is just as effective!
It sounds like it may work for some. Personally, since I relocated, I haven’t been able to get anywhere even close to the medical attention I was receiving where I moved from. Veteran but, seems non-service related issues don’t get the medical attention needed.
The VA has cut down on my pain meds since the shit hit the fan about doctors getting rich prescribing pain meds to addicts. I get by on 4 oxycodone pills a day. I hurt all over but still travel out to the VA to get pills. I have had injections and PT but I am 76 year old Vietnam vet and I think many docs just see me as an old wreck. I do get 100% from the VA but that took 30 years and I had to become a sort of jail house lawyer to learn the system and just keep filing appeals. If you get your fair compensation it does not hurt so much when you can pay your bills and get decent medical care.
I also suffer from the very same symptoms everyday.
Hello all, I am the Marine pictured above. My thanks to all the docs and fellow Vets along the path this program provided and to Ms. Kalista for an outstanding capture of what was my experience in the program. The combination of the physical exercises along with the mental exercises became a great combination for me to get where I needed to go. I cannot stress nor recommend enough, to all my fellow vets that are dealing with similar circumstances, you’re are not alone!, reach out, and make it better, you deserve it!
William there is nothing as sad as seeing a warrior in distress after service. I’m so happy for you brother that you have a better quality of life.
Thank you Dexter
What a crock,,,,I went to the pain Management clinic with severe back pain from taking a header out of a truck. Pain like I can barely walk on most days and can’t walk on other days. See the doctor, and the sole recommendation was to go to a yoga class sponsored by the VA. Yea, lol, I will and have more drinks to deal with this as I can’t do much else….
T?hat is pitiful way to treat a vet. Do you have Medicare