Put the “me” back in "me"nopause for Women Veterans! Learn about a novel VA acupuncture clinic delivering an evidence-based, non-pharmacological intervention for the treatment of co-morbid pain and menopause in a gender-specific environment. Menopause symptom burden adds complexity to pain management for this population at-risk for greater odds of increased chronic pain, multiple pain diagnoses, and dangerous polypharmacy. This clinic is the subject of a recently awarded VA Pain/Opioid CORE quality improvement grant and aims to uphold the patient-centered “me” for women as they navigate the menopause transition. Come for the evidence, leave with actionable solutions and a brief pain psychology-based exercise for symptom self-management.
Learning Objectives:
Identify a patient population at higher risk for multiple pain diagnoses and risky opioid prescribing due to menopause symptom burden.
Describe the proposed influence of menopause on chronic pain.
Utilize the evidence base to support the use of acupuncture, a complementary and integrative health modality indicated for the treatment of pain and other conditions.
Explain acupuncture as an evidence based CIH intervention for the treatment of pain and menopausal symptoms
Describe a novel clinic model currently in use at a VA location, a women's health acupuncture pain clinic in a gender specific environment
