Fergus Falls, MN – With chronic pain and opioid misuse on the rise, Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) is one of several rural sites awarded a grant to improve provider skills and community access to holistic chronic pain interventions aimed at reducing the risk for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD).
“Opioids have been used to address chronic pain regardless of underlying cause or severity for the past several years, yet they can carry harmful side effects and are highly addictive,” said Dr. Bruce Money, physician champion for the Integrative Pain Management initiative at LRH. “I have seen first-hand how the opioid epidemic is hurting our communities and our people. As a community-based healthcare provider, I feel it is our duty at LRH to provide better access and education on integrative, non-pharmacological therapies to address pain.”
The Teaching, Learning, and Coordination – Wellness on Wheels (TLC-WoW) Program is bringing Integrative Pain Management, community engagement and Shared Medical Appointments for chronic pain training across the state. LRH applied to become a sub-awardee for the TLC-WoW Program to deliver this evidence-based program locally.
“With chronic pain and opioid misuse on the rise, the good news is that shifting to these integrative and non-pharmacological therapies can improve outcomes and reduce harmful side effects,” said Money. The program will set the foundation for educating care teams about how and when to apply these therapies with patients as alternatives while also equipping the public with their own set of tools and alternative strategies to manage pain.
Providers and wellness support staff at LRH are currently in the training phase of the program in preparation for two public workshops this spring and a new Shared Medical Appointment group planned for this fall.
To kick off the program LRH is hosting two Pain Management Strategies Open House event. The first will be held in the community room at the Fergus Falls YMCA from 5:30 to 7pm on Tuesday, April 29th. The public is invited to stop in to explore holistic pain management strategies like essential oils & magnesium, massage, dry needling, yoga, art therapy and more. A second and similar workshop is planned for June 24th at the Fergus Falls Public Library Community Room.
More information is available online at www.lrhc.org/PainWorkshop.
Story courtesy of Lake Region Healthcare.
