AACIPM has partnered with AOTA to help the vast array of multidisciplinary pain management practitioners to better understand the function of occupational therapy, when it may be appropriate for patients, and how it works synergistically with other therapies.

AACIPM is excited to announce the release of “The Role of Occupational Therapy in Comprehensive Integrative Pain Management,” a new white paper available now for free download.

Developed in partnership with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), this white paper is intended to provide additional context to help multistakeholders better understand the role of occupational therapy in the pain management toolbox.

Due to the fact that individuals with pain often must create their own pain care plans due to the paucity of integrative pain management clinics available, we hope this will aid in promoting more connections and awareness for many.

This white paper will answer questions including:

  • What is Occupational Therapy?
  • What role does OT play in a comprehensive pain management program?
  • How do occupational therapy practitioners treat pain?
  • When is a referral to an OT appropriate?
  • Is OT care for pain management covered by insurance?
  • What type of training do OTs receive?
  • Can patients access OT in all communities?
  • What must be done to better integrate OT services into a comprehensive pain management model?
  • Can you provide an example of what an integrative team approach that includes OT looks like?

Complete with (1) a detailed table of possible areas of daily life impacted by chronic pain, along with OT interventions that can help, and (2) a case study of a person with complex pain who is using OT alongside other treatments, this paper will give readers a thorough understanding of how to incorporate occupational therapy into their own pain management toolbox.