VA Introduces New Pain Coach App to Aid Veterans in Managing Chronic Pain
Veterans are already seeing benefits from a free mobile app designed to help them manage chronic pain. The VA Pain Coach app is now available for download on the App Store and Google Play Store.
Chronic pain is a significant issue for many Veterans, affecting their quality of life and overall well-being. The Pain Coach app aims to provide Veterans with a practical, accessible tool to manage their pain more effectively. The app includes a variety of features such as interactive tools, check-ins, a multimedia journal, pain assessments, and support resources. Each of these components is designed to empower Veterans to take control of their pain and lead more fulfilling lives.
Scott Johnson, a Marine Corps Veteran, was asked by his doctor to try the app before it was released “When I am dealing with chronic pain, I’m a totally different person,” said Johnson. “Before going through cognitive behavioral therapy with Dr. Martinson, these pain flare-ups would cause me to go into these deep depressions so when she asked me to pilot this app and help give feedback to make it better for Veterans like me, to finally be able to return the favor, it was the least I could do.”
Johnson downloaded the app and started using it right away.
"One thing I liked about getting into the app right away is that it is simple,” Johnson said. "The first time you log in, it asks about your values so when you have those little victories like engaging with your kids even though you are in pain, or motivating yourself to take a shower when you are depressed, you get to connect them to the things you care about most.”
Dr. Amber Martinson, Lead Clinician for the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain Program at George E. Whalen Medical Center in Salt Lake City was one of the five subject matter experts who developed this national app and contributed to the clinical content of the app over the course of about 18 months.
“There are reminders that patients can set to help them remember to complete their therapy homework,” Martinson said. “Treatment only works if folks do it, so this has been a nice feature. There are also assessments built into the app, which can be completed by the patient and then emailed directly to the provider for review."
Martinson knows how difficult it can be for some Veterans to seek treatment for their chronic pain.
“Dealing with pain is hard and uncomfortable, but it is also hard to live with untreated pain,” she said. “I’m proud that Scott has chosen to tackle the difficult stuff in his life.”
The VA has long been committed to supporting Veterans in managing the complex health issues they face, and the Pain Coach app is the latest addition to the suite of mobile apps developed by the National Center for PTSD. These apps are designed to provide Veterans with self-directed, evidence-based tools to address various aspects of their mental and physical health.
For Veterans like Scott Johnson, the Pain Coach app offers a lifeline, providing them with the resources and support they need to live more comfortably and with greater autonomy. Johnson issued a challenge to other Veterans in pain who might be skeptical about the app.
“If you’re in pain, what do you have to lose?” Johnson asked
As the Pain Coach app becomes more widely used, the VA hopes to gather feedback from Veterans to continue refining and improving the app. The goal is to ensure that it remains a valuable resource for all who need it.
The Pain Coach app is available to download on iOS and Android devices by searching “Pain Coach by VA” in your device’s app store.