Research: Non-Drug Therapies May Improve Outcomes for Soldiers with Chronic Pain
VA research shows that service members who receive non-drug therapies – which include TENS electrotherapy – as part of their pain treatment plans may have lower long-term risks for alcohol and drug disorders, as well as self-induced injuries.
“If non-drug treatments make chronic pain more bearable, people may be more likely to have positive experiences in life,” says lead scientist Dr. Esther Meerwijk. “That makes them less likely to have thoughts of suicide or to turn to drugs.”
Results Drawn from Large-Scale Pain Study
Dr. Meerwijk, a researcher at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, and her team reviewed the VA health records of more than 140,000 Army soldiers who reported chronic pain following deployments from 2008-2014. Most commonly reported pain included joint pain, back and neck issues, and other musculoskeletal problems.
Their analysis found that active duty service members with chronic pain who received non-drug therapies were at significantly lower risk for alcohol and/or drug use, poisoning with opioids and related narcotics, and self-inflicted injuries after transitioning to VA healthcare.
In fact, those who received non-drug therapies were 35% less likely to injure themselves than those who didn’t receive such therapies while in the service. Additionally, soldiers who received non-drug treatments while in service were also at lower long-term risk for adverse outcomes. Specifically, they were:
8% less likely to have alcohol or drug use disorders
17% less likely to have self-inflicted injuries, including suicide attempts
12% less likely to experience suicidal ideation
The non-drug therapies the soldiers received included acupuncture/dry needling, biofeedback, chiropractic care, massage, exercise therapy, cold laser therapy, osteopathic spinal manipulation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and other electrical manipulation, ultrasonography, superficial heat treatment, traction, other physical therapy, and lumbar supports.
The Rise of Non-Opioid Therapies
Pain is a well-documented condition among Veterans, with more than 65% of Veterans saying they’re in pain. It’s also a well-established risk factor for opioid use disorder and opioid-related overdose.
Recognizing these risks as far back as the early 2000s, the medical community – including the VA and its Whole Health initiative – began incorporating non-opioid therapies such as chiropractic manipulation and exercise therapy, as well as options like yoga, acupuncture and electrotherapy into its chronic pain treatment plans.
For the VA, this change stemmed from an objective to reduce patient dependence on opioids and more effectively treat complex medical issues like chronic pain and PTSD. It dovetails with the scientific recognition that Veterans experience mental health disorders, substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury at disproportionate rates compared to their civilian counterparts.
Review the Complete Study
This published research is part of a larger study, the Substance Use and Psychological Injury Combat Study (SUPIC), which is the largest and longest study of pain management and behavioral health conditions in Army service members.
A Closer Look at the RS-4i Plus
The RS-4i Plus is an advanced home-use electrotherapy device that combines high frequency (5000 Hz) Interferential Therapy (INF) for long-lasting pain relief, with Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) for muscle rehabilitation. Patented Intersperse technology delivers both INF and NMES during the same, uninterrupted treatment session. This excites the body’s natural beta-endorphin production to relieve pain for up to 8 hours, and provides rehabilitative muscle therapy that reduces muscle spasms, increases circulation and prevents disuse atrophy.
Take the Next Step
Healthcare Practitioners
If you are interested in a more detailed review of the RS-4i Plus mechanisms of action and clinical evidence, we invite you to request a demonstration.
Patients
The RS-4i Plus requires a prescription. If you are interested in discussing this drug-free pain relief solution with your healthcare practitioner, download our patient discussion guide to help start a conversation.