A pilot program in British Columbia that offers alternatives to opioids is marking a successful trial run and is looking towards the future.
The BC Construction Industry Rehabilitation Plan (CIRP) is celebrating the results of its Opioid-Free Pain Clinic pilot program, which began in May and has since had more than 38 construction workers go through its doors and see improvement in their pain management.
“Opioids mask the pain by turning off pain receptors but don’t address physical damage, but non-opioid solutions keep workers off the job for weeks,” said Vicky Waldron, executive director of CIRP. “It’s really about finding the right solutions for the people you’re trying to help.”
The solution, she said, was a technique called myoActivation trigger point therapy which reduces pain without pharmacological intervention.
“The program itself provides pain services without the use of any prescribing of any sort at all,” Waldron said. “It uses a dry needling technique and through that it’s working on the body’s fascia (a thin layer holding together the body’s organs and systems). We’re seeing some really good results.”
She added the industry faces pressures such as labour shortages and tight margins and “the pressure to get people back to work is very high. Using opioids is a very quick way to get people back to work.”
“We wanted to provide an alternative that wasn’t as time-intensive and it’s something we have to look at because it’s a real issue. It’s not good us trying to convince people to take the month because that’s the right way to do it. If it doesn’t work for the population you’re dealing with, it doesn’t work, and we have to find solutions that do,” she said.
Waldron said the clinic runs once a week with a steady stream of clients showing significant reductions in pain. Thirty-eight clients have received services with 375 appointments delivered and “100 per cent have reported a reduction in pain.”
“Within one to four sessions, after they’ve had the needling, we’re seeing a lot people getting back to work and they’re seeing significant reduction in pain.”
She added the clinic’s efforts not only have industry support but directly address their concerns about opioids and workplace injury.
“The clinic came about directly as a result of conversations I was having with industry,” she said. “I would talk to industry around harm reduction and the need for dealing with pain and opioid replacement therapies, where people have become addicted to opioids but they need pain relief.
“It ticks all the boxes for industry. There’s no opioids involved, we’re able to treat workers effectively, and we’re able to get them back to work quicker.”
Clients receive on average four weeks of pain services and reported an average three-point decline in pain, she added, and myoActivation clients can also attend optional yoga and education on self-management of pain.
CIRP has existed as an organization providing substance use and mental health treatment to unionized construction workers for 35 years, a release stated, with more than 500 intakes last year resulting in over 200 workers receiving their services and more than 4,400 counselling sessions delivered.
Waldron said she would like to expand the program and take what they’ve learned forward to deliver the program across the province in future.
“Wouldn’t it be great if we could take this directly out to construction sites?” she asked.
Those who wish to enrol in the program can call the clinic at 604-521-8611 and information is available at constructionrehabplan.com.
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