Chronic Pain Guidelines from the ACOEM

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In a news release today, the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) stated that they had published a “new medical treatment guideline for providing care to workers with chronic pain.”

For now the guideline which covers more than 200 recommendations is only available online at www.acoem.org but will be available next month in print format.

Put together in conjunction with multi-disciplinary panel of national experts and with input from the leading health and medical organizations the guidelines “focus on diagnostic and other testing and treatments for several chronic pain conditions, including: complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), neuropathic pain, trigger points/myofascial pain, chronic persistent pain, fibromyalgia and chronic low back pain.”

Some of the highlights of the report includes:

• An in-depth review of over 20 medications (prescription, over-the-counter, complementary and alternative) used to treat patients with chronic pain, including an extensive appendix on guidance for the use of opioids.
  
• Detailed recommendations regarding the use of appliances (e.g., magnets), skilled allied-health provided medical therapies (e.g., acupuncture, manipulation/mobilization, myofascial release), electrical therapies (e.g., PENS, TENS).
  
• Uses and limitations of injection therapies (e.g., diagnostic and therapeutic facet joint injections, trigger/tender point injections, botulinum injections, intrathecal drugs).
  
• A discussion of spinal cord stimulation for CRPS and other painful conditions.
  
• A detailed review of psychological services (e.g., evaluation and behavior therapy) and rehabilitation for delayed recovery, including biofeedback, work conditioning/work hardening/early intervention programs, and interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programs.
  
• A focus on functional restoration, including an active exercise program and behavioral program. 
  

For further information and/or to request a copy of the guidelines, contact the ACOEM at 847-818-1800 or visit their website at www.acoem.org

The ACOEM is the pre-eminent organization of physicians who champion the health and safety of workers, workplaces, and environments.