Comprehensive Pain Program

Comprehensive Pain Program at UVM Health

Chronic pain is more than a long-lasting symptom. It commonly affects every aspect of life, including family and social relationships, work and recreation. People living with chronic pain may also experience declines in mental, emotional and physical health.

The Comprehensive Pain Program at University of Vermont Health can help you address your pain and find a greater sense of well-being. We offer effective therapies and a community of participants, clinicians and staff to support you in improving your quality of life.

Why Choose UVM Health?

The Comprehensive Pain Program is based on an integrative medicine model that combines a variety of therapies in group and individual settings. Experts in specialized treatments come together to help you optimize your health and function.

Our nationally recognized model of care offers:

Unconditional support: Our providers meet you where you are, help you chart a path to wellness as you set and reach your personal goals. Our group model connects you with others who understand what you're going through. Our participants tell us they no longer feel alone and marginalized because of their pain.
Therapies customized to your needs: Our integrative team offers a wide variety of therapies that can help you live more comfortably and return to meaningful activities. These can include both individual and group treatments based on our needs.
Proven model for creating well-being: Our graduates report less pain and stress, decreased isolation, improved mood, increased activity and a better quality of life.

Innovation & Impact

'It's been life changing.'

The Comprehensive Pain Program at UVM Medical Center is helping patients like John Killacky solve decades of debilitating chronic pain, bringing together modern medicine and evidence-based complementary and alternative therapies to optimize your health.

Conditions We Treat

At the Comprehensive Pain Program, we care for people who have had chronic pain for three or more months. Many of our patients have conditions affecting the bones, joints and muscles, including:

Arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Back pain
Neck pain
Pain resulting from chemotherapy
Fibromyalgia
Pain due to injury
Neuropathy
Headaches
Pain resulting from trauma

What to Expect from the Comprehensive Pain Program

When you arrive at the Comprehensive Pain Program, our skilled providers listen to you intently to understand your story. We meet you where you are in your healing and create a plan to help you reach your wellness goals.

During your time in our program, you can participate in activities designed to promote well-being, healing and increased functioning, including:

Whole-Person Therapies

Natural healing therapies can be used alone or in combination with traditional medical treatments. We work with your insurance company to get therapies approved as often as possible. Our treatments include:

Acupuncture: This ancient Chinese treatment stimulates your body to heal naturally. Acupuncture practitioners gently insert thin, sterile needles into specific points on the body to help improve your function and reduce pain.
Clinical hypnosis: This treatment can enlist the mind’s power to reduce chronic pain, improve mood and increase function.
Craniosacral therapy: This practice uses light touch to reduce restrictions in your central nervous system's fascia (connective tissue). Relieving tension can help decrease pain and increase well-being.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: EMDR is a psychological treatment that helps release pain that can get locked in the nervous system. This therapy can improve coping skills and reduce pain and suffering.
Massage therapy: Muscle and joint manipulation can enhance the body's natural abilities to relieve stress and pain. Massage therapy may also encourage a deeper awareness of one's body.
Movement classes: Yoga and other forms of mindful movement use breathing and meditation to promote a mind-body approach to health and wellness.
Mindfulness: Connecting with the present moment can reduce stress, anxiety and depression.
Nutrition: Individual visits with a nutritionist and hands-on cooking classes can help you understand how food influences pain.
Occupational therapy: Psychology-informed occupational therapy encourages rehabilitation through practicing the activities of daily life.
Pain reprocessing therapy: This therapy can help your brain “unlearn” patterns that develop with chronic pain, so you perceive pain signals as less threatening. The result is reduced pain and increased function.
Physical therapy: Psychology-informed physical therapy can decrease pain symptoms and help you overcome a fear of movement.
Reiki: This Japanese relaxation technique reduces stress and anxiety by transferring energy using light or no touch.

Group Visits

Small group sessions led by members of our team are essential components of the Comprehensive Pain Program. Alongside other people experiencing chronic pain, you learn how to address questions like:

What does wellness look like in the context of illness?
How do you frame the experience of chronic pain?
What matters most to you and how can you enjoy life, even if you have chronic pain?
What pathways can you take to help you achieve your goals?

Continued Support for Pain Management

We continue to work with you after completing treatment at the Comprehensive Pain Program. Our Alumni Program allows you to meet regularly with other program graduates and helps you advance the important work you started.

The understanding that thoughts, emotions and feelings can change ‘neural pathways’ and that new pathways can be made. Thus even a chronic illness can be better.

UVM Health Patient