Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel

    Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 NEWS
 Army looks at yoga, acupuncture to treat pain By Alexandra Hemmerly-Brown,  Army News Service
 WASHINGTON - The Army's health-care
system may soon see changes in how Soldiers are treated for pain, according
to a report released by the Army's surgeon general Wednesday which
recommends 109 changes. The Pain Management Task Force's final report, which was initiated by Lt.
Gen. Eric B. Schoomaker in August of 2009, addresses the lack of a
comprehensive pain-management strategy across the Army, and suggests
alternative treatments to medication such as acupuncture, meditation,
biofeedback and yoga. Also noted in the report is the fact that pain
management has changed very little since the discovery of morphine in 1805. Schoomaker explained that with the increasing numbers of Soldiers returning
from combat with severe wounds, reports of medication abuse and suicides
with pain as a possible factor are troubling. "While these issues might not be directly related to pain management, I felt
a thorough evaluation and assessment of current pain-management practice was
indicated," Schoomaker said. He said part of the problem is that severely injured Soldiers, like those in
Warrior Transition Units, are often prescribed multiple medications and
sometimes seen by several different doctors, which can cause inconsistencies
in care. But he maintained that this is not just an Army problem-it's a
problem throughout the U.S. healthcare system. "This is a nation-wide problem ... we've got a culture of 'a pill for every
ill,'" agreed Brig. Gen. Richard W. Thomas, assistant Army surgeon general. "As a physician, the hardest thing to deal with is patients with chronic
pain," said Col. Jonathan H. Jaffin, director of heath policy and services,
Army office of the surgeon general. "So many of us went into medicine to
relieve suffering, and chronic pain is frustrating because we want to
relieve that pain." The task force visited 28 military, Veterans Affairs and civilian medical
centers between October and January to observe treatment capabilities and
best practices. Schoomaker's said his goal is to form a pain-management
strategy that is holistic, multidisciplinary and puts Soldiers' quality of
life first. "This is an opportunity to change medical care and the way we take care of
patients," noted Thomas. Schoomaker stressed that Army practices have always been in compliance with
America's medical regulations, but he thinks the Army can do better. "Everything we do in the Army, even managing a toothache, is all in
compliance with national standards ... what we want to do is set the bar
higher," Schoomaker explained. Schoomaker's higher standards include offering treatment alternatives that
might not yet be prescribed in average doctor's offices, but which patients
are already seeking out on their own, such as acupuncture. He said the Army
has looked at research on the effectiveness of complementary techniques, and
he would like to see them integrated into traditional medical treatment. "Programs such as biofeedback and yoga have been subjected to scientific
randomized trials and have been proven to be effective," Schoomaker said. Biofeedback involves measuring body signals - such as temperature, heart
rate, muscle tension and brain waves - to help patients with relaxation
techniques and pain reduction. Schoomaker said he is hopeful that Soldiers will be receptive to alternative
methods of care once they see that the treatments work. "Seeing success is the best way to convince people of the usefulness and the
need for other approaches," agreed Jaffin. The 109 recommendations are divided into four areas: to provide tools and
infrastructure that support pain management, build a full spectrum of best
practices, focus on Soldiers and families, and synchronize a culture of pain
awareness, education and intervention. Schoomaker said the recommendations that can be put into policy under his
authority will be implemented in the coming months, and the 2010 National
Defense Authorization Act asks the secretary of defense to integrate a
pain-management policy into the military health-care system no later than
March 2011.
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course
 By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith,
  38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise
 By Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry,
  Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska
 By 156th Wing
  More
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course Guard News • 5 hours ago
 38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise Guard News • 12 hours ago
 Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska Guard News • 12 hours ago
 Air National Guard Conducts Sentry Savannah Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 Hawaii Air National Guard Hosts Sentry Aloha Joint Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 2024 (196)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil