Incorporating Complementary and Alternative Therapies into a Clinic-based Chronic Pain Program for Underserved Patients

Unity Health Care is a non-profit network of federally-qualified Community Health Centers serving over 80,000 low-income underserved residents of the District of Columbia. Upper Cardozo Health Center is the largest clinic in this network serving approximately 20,000 patients annually and serving a large immigrant and African American population. Since September of 2010, we have been running a group visit program for patients with chronic pain. The goal of this program is to improve patients' ability to self-manage their pain, and to ultimately decrease their pain and stress and improve their functioning. Participants are referred by their primary care providers and have a variety of chronic pain diagnoses, including arthritis, low back pain, sickle cell anemia, fibromyalgia and others. As of February 2011 we have completed 10 bi-monthly classes, with an average of 12 participants per session. In these classes they are exposed to a wide range of complementary and alternative therapies, including yoga, massage therapy, meditation, music, and art. Through a modified Brief Pain Inventory we evaluate our program and have seen many positive changes: significant decreased daily stress and pain, as well as improved mood, sleep and enjoyment of life. This program is a successful example of how to incorporate complementary and alternative therapies into a clinic setting caring for underserved populations.