The American Academy of Pain Management Announces a “New Way of Thinking” for Effective Chronic Pain Management
It was gratifying to read the recent email from the AAPM advocating for exactly what I’ve been writing and teaching about since 1996. I’m glad the message has finally been received and incorporated – I guess it’s true about it takes time for ideas to make it through organizational bureaucracies. Many individuals around the world have also been working toward integrated pain management approaches so it’s good to see the AAPM follow suit. I’m copying the email I recently received promoting their upcoming conference in Phoenix Arizona in October that included this announcement.
A New Way of Thinking
During our milestone 20th year, the leadership of the Academy deliberated upon purpose of the organization, the original intent of its founder, Richard Weiner, PhD (to build an organization that was truly interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary and included both allopathic and complementary and alternative clinicians), and what lessons have been learned over the years. As a result of this work, the Board took an important stand in February by changing the mission of the organization to reflect our belief that the most effective way to treat people who live with pain is through an integrative approach. While we recognize that we may face economic, political, and social challenges in our work to achieve this, we also know that an individualized, patient-centered model will lead ultimately to the best patient outcomes, and will advance the field of pain management overall.
In line with the principles of integrative medicine, the Academy defines the characteristics of integrative pain management as being:
Patient-centered and reaffirming of the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient. This approach promotes optimal wellness and helps patients reach their goals with a greater sense of personal control. Focused on the whole person—mind, body, and spirit, and within the context of their communities Informed by evidence
Open to bringing together all appropriate therapeutic approaches and healthcare professionals to reduce pain and achieve optimal health and healing.
This focus on collaboration for the best possible care of people with pain reinforces the founding mission of the Academy, and informs our work as we move forward. This year we will celebrate our 20th birthday and explore how through an integrative approach we can achieve optimal patient care.
Please read my article published in June 2008 that covers what our Addiction-Free Pain Management® System considers quality and effective chronic pain management titled The Need for Multidisciplinary Chronic Pain Management that you can download for free on our Article page.
If you would like to see my upcoming trainings and especially to learn about my 20 hour (three days) Addiction-Free Pain Management® Certification Training on December 7-9, 2009 in Sacramento California designed to teach treatment strategies for people living with chronic pain and coexisting disorders including disorders including addiction please Click Here and scroll down to the December 7-9, 2009 for the description and how to sign up.
You can learn more about the Addiction-Free Pain Management® System at our website www.addiction-free.com. If you are working with people undergoing chronic pain management and want to learn how to develop a plan for managing their chronic pain and coexisting psychological disorders; including depression, addiction and other coexisting psychological disorders effectively; please consider my book Managing Pain and Coexisting Disorders: Using the Addiction-Free Pain Management® System. To purchase this book please Click Here.
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