Unlocking Relief: Transformative Strategies for Chronic Pain Management

Imagine waking up every day to pain that not only lingers but defines your life. This is the reality for over 100 million Americans and more than 1.5 billion people worldwide who suffer from chronic pain, a complex condition that causes physical discomfort and emotional and psychological challenges. Traditional treatments for chronic pain often fall short, focusing solely on managing the resulting pain without addressing the source and individual’s holistic needs.^1,2,4 In order to change the narrative, first we must understand the underlying reality of chronic pain. 

Understanding Chronic Pain

One of the greatest challenges in treating chronic pain is its invisible nature. Chronic pain is not just a physical symptom, but also a psychological experience. Patients often struggle with believing that they can manage their pain, maintain their daily lives, and find emotional balance. This struggle is compounded by social stigma and doubts about the validity of their pain, leading to frustration and complicating treatment efforts. Traditional treatment plans for chronic pain are often standardized, failing to consider the unique environment and psychological needs of each individual.^3,4 

Rather than viewing pain as an alarm that needs to be silenced, it can be understood as a crucial learning system for survival. The traditional goal of being free of pain has often resulted in widespread opioid prescriptions with devastating outcomes. A more comprehensive understanding of pain is needed, with a focus shifting from eliminating pain to enhancing patient comfort through a combination of physiological, psychological, and emotional strategies.⁸  

BehavioralRx®: A Comprehensive Solution

Enter BehavioralRx, an innovative solution created by GoMo Health that transcends conventional therapeutic approaches by integrating cognitive and emotional strategies, empowering patients to transform their condition management journey. This approach isn’t only focused on managing pain; it redefines the possibilities of enjoying life fully, despite a chronic pain diagnosis. BehavioralRx uses  

CARBs: Cognitive Action Response Behaviors (CARBs) are a proprietary methodology used to foster human resiliency and empower people to take control of their health. The CARBs approach creates a partnership between patients and health care providers, emphasizing reciprocity, trust, and credibility. It shifts the patient’s self-perception from feeling powerless to becoming an active participant in their health journey. By engaging with a virtual concierge that responds to their immediate needs, patients can develop a personal belief in their ability to influence and transform their health, comfort, and quality of life. 

Watch this video to see how CARBs and BehavioralRx are changing the landscape of chronic pain management.

Understanding the interplay between physiology, fear, and control can empower individuals to manage their pain more effectively without relying on opioids. ⁸ 

Scalability and Impact 

One of the standout benefits of BehavioralRx is its scalability. With over 60 million people on Medicaid in the United States, there is a pressing need for scalable solutions that can engage individuals daily, modify behaviors, and address personal, social, and healthcare challenges. BehavioralRx offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional human care coordinators, enabling engagement with millions of patients and producing valuable electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) to drive personalized healthcare delivery. 

Use Case: BehavioralRx in Action 

A compelling example of BehavioralRx in action for chronic pain management is illustrated through a partnership with Med-IQ and GoMo Health. Through the Chronic Pain Management program initiative, this patient education program was created to support families and individuals affected by chronic conditions.  

Program Features: 

• Duration: 8-week program. 
• Patients received care SMS messages twice a week. 
• Topics covered: personalized guidance, educational tips, recommended sitting positions, stretches, and relaxation techniques. 

Goals and Outcomes: 

• Address both the physical and emotional/behavioral challenges of managing chronic pain. 
• Participants self-reported improvements in their ability to manage pain, showcasing BehavioralRx’s effectiveness in patient engagement and health outcomes. 

The Chronic Pain Management program demonstrated how targeted interventions can empower patients to take control of their condition, paving the way for a more comprehensive, integrated approach to chronic pain management. For more details about this program and other similar initiatives, watch the following video and visit https://gomohealth.com/chronic-pain/.