Prospective Assessment of Integrative Therapies for Neuromusculoskeletal Pain (PAIN)

With vast numbers of active-duty members restricted from their specific duties or deemed unfit for deployment because of low back pain, both the mission of the Department of Defense and overall military workflow can be significantly impacted. More than restriction from duty or being barred from deployment, studies have shown musculoskeletal conditions were among the top reasons for medical disability retirement in the Army and Marine Corps (Niebuhr; Sikorski). Given the significant time, money, and resources invested in training these members, each day of inactivity or disability detrimentally affects the execution of the military's mission. Therefore, precise diagnosis and effective treatment modalities are paramount to foster healing and reduce recovery time.

From an operational standpoint, the United States Department of Defense (DoD) is specifically interested in using tailored integrative medicine modalities to manage chronic conditions encountered in the military health system. Not just chronic pain, but polytrauma and the triad of conditions it encompasses; traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder combined with chronic pain (Madsen, Kim, Bedard). The DoD's goal is also to decrease opioid prescribing and the addiction and altered state associated with opioids.

AT the Nellis Integrative Medicine Clinic, physicians, a chiropractor, and nurses are engaged in the treatment of patients. All personnel are trained in the various modalities available in the clinics.

A variety of modalities are utilized in the clinic. This prospective study will evaluate the effectiveness of the many modalities used in the Integrative Medicine Clinic (such as acupuncture, myofascial therapies, microcurrent therapies, LASER therapy, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, and pulsed electromagnetic therapies).

Most patients receive treatments using multiple modalities. DoD goals align with our experiences in the Integrative Medicine Clinic at Mike O'Callaghan Military Medical Center. Many servicemembers and dependents in our clinic are trying to avoid surgery, or their pain medications - opioid or not - are no longer working. Additionally, many patients are trying to avoid Do Not Fly status caused by pharmacologic approaches. Patient experiences at our IMC also correlate with a study where 80% of people surveyed felt integrative medicine should be routinely offered at all MTFs (Ross). While our patients generally are not on opioids, we have anecdotally noted a reduction or cessation of opioids in several patients. The impacts of such a reduction in opioid usage for military readiness is clear (Madsen).