Arizona Study on the Role of Pain Clinics in Reducing Opioid Use

Pain specialists at the University of Arizona and Banner – University Medicine recently conducted research on chronic pain treatment that doesn’t involve opioid use, determining that pain clinics could be beneficial in reducing opioid usage, according to a press release from the University of Arizona. The primary objective of the study was to “evaluate the role of a pain clinic staffed by fellowship-trained pain physicians in reducing pain and opioid use in chronic nonmalignant pain patients,” as explained in the Pain Physician Journal.

UA News highlights the outcomes of the study:

Patients were asked to rate their pain on a scale of zero to 10, with results showing the average pain score decreased by almost 34 percent. The pain frequency and number of pain episodes improved. Also, the patients reported better ability to sleep, work and perform chores. Finally, the patients were able to reduce their total opioid use by about 55 percent.

Read more about the study here, or find doctors who can help with opioid addiction in Arizona.