Pain Management in the United States: An Underlying Contributor to the Opioid Crisis 

The Congressional Integrative Health and Wellness Caucus, invite Members of Congress and Congressional staff to a briefing and demonstration featuring experts from academic, government, and association settings to educate members and staff on the field of integrative pain management.  Long-standing integrative therapies, such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, massage therapy and yoga therapy will be offered to members and staff to demonstrate their ability to treat neck and back pain. The briefing will also bring in leadership to discuss multi-modality models of care, including models currently being implemented within the US Department of Veterans Affairs, University Hospital systems, and Integrative Pain Clinics.

Last year, Congress passed H.R. 6, the SUPPORT Patients and Communities Act, aimed at addressing our nation’s ongoing opioid crisis. This law proposed that we not only examine the need for new methods of treating chronic pain, but also examine the use of alternative and nonpharmacological methods of treating pain. But many patients face barriers to accessing these services. For example, even if a patient wishes to receive acupuncture or chiropractic care, their insurance may not offer coverage of the therapy of their choice. This briefing will illuminate the needs for these therapies, and illustrate common barriers to access and what Congress can do to bring integrative health to our constituents.