Veterans with chronic pain are searching for new ways to manage their conditions. The new “Whole Health for Veterans with Chronic Pain” podcast offers fresh perspectives on chronic pain management and various interventions, discussing self-care and practical strategies for Veterans and their well-being.
The new podcast takes a Veteran-centered Whole Health approach, providing skills and knowledge that encourage them to view healing as a journey that requires them to stay engaged, working toward wholeness.
The podcast also features topics about self-care and complementary and integrative treatments that can be incorporated into daily life to reduce the impact of chronic pain and improve overall health.
Studies have shown that chronic pain is a highly prevalent condition, estimated to affect over 50% of Veterans who receive care through VA. Many of them are seeking new ways to manage this lifelong condition. Veterans are using lifestyle choices and complementary and integrative health modalities such as acupuncture, yoga and therapeutic massage.
Whole Health for Veterans with Chronic Pain podcast
As part of VA’s transformation to Veteran-centered Whole Health, these options are available.
Cherise Knotts is a 53-year-old Veteran who is engaged in Whole Health treatment for chronic pain and substance use that incorporates battlefield acupuncture, meditation, healing touch, nutrition and exercise.
“I am accomplishing my short- and long-term goals,” Knotts said. “I’m so proud of myself because, when I was using, I hardly finished anything. Life has its struggles with pain, but I am doing a lot of homeopathic medicines along with pharmaceuticals. Things are coming along just fine. I think the reason we overcome obstacles is so that we can be a beacon for others.”
The podcast takes listeners through the Circle of Health and the eight components of self-care to teach self-care skills to manage chronic pain. The podcast is helpful for anyone who wishes to learn more and supplement their treatment plans. Podcast host, Dr. Carol Bowman, is a primary care physician at the Los Angeles VA and has worked with patients with chronic pain for over 10 years, and with Veterans for over six years.
In addition to primary care internal medicine training, Dr. Bowman studied and practiced holistic medicine for over 25 years and is certified in integrative pain management.
“Our conventional approach using surgery and medications has failed for chronic pain,” Bowman said. “I have worked with hundreds of Veterans who have benefited from a Whole Health approach and are living their best lives. I wanted to bring these tools and information right to Veterans so they can embark on a healing journey right now.”
Episodes Include:
- Where Chronic Pain Meets Whole Health: An Overview
- “ME” in the Center of the Whole Health Circle
- Mindfulness Helps Manage Chronic Pain
- Just Move! Increase Function and Decrease Pain
- Small Changes, Big Impact: Improving your Surroundings to help Manage Pain
- Focus on What You CAN Do. Meaningful Engagement in Activities while Managing Chronic Pain
- What’s on the Menu? Eat, Drink and Manage Pain
- Relax, Rest, Recharge: The Connection Between Sleep and Chronic Pain
- You are Not Alone: Strengthening Supporting Relationships when dealing with Chronic Pain
- And more…
Find your platform and subscribe to the podcast here.
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My continual lower back pain is centered around L 3,4 & 5. I have had stem cell injections, 2 injections on each L 3, 4 & 5 with out any correction. I have had other injections going back to the 1970,s. This chronic pain management might be what will allow me to get control of the pain.
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