The North Coast Pain Clinic has moved to Warrenton and is preparing to open clinics in Tillamook and Columbia counties to help Oregonians suffering from chronic pain.
Since its inception last year, the nonprofit has helped 70 people in its 10-week program, said Bud Perschek, clinic manager. It moved from Astoria for financial reasons.
“We’re helping people deal with the pain issues that they have but we’re also helping to increase the quality of their lives,” Pershcek said.
The program focuses on proven behavioral techniques, offering classes on mindfulness, nutrition, yoga and even drumming and uses education, experience and body movement to teach patients how to manage pain.
Pain Management
Brenda McKune of Warrenton, who’s turns 56 this month, has been dealing with chronic pain since she was 16 following a severe accident involving a bus and a train. “The older you get the more the hurts grow..
McKune became depressed and had hit a dead end trying to deal with pain that affected her head neck and back. Doctors only prescribed pain medications which didn’t alleviate her problems, and she found herself sitting at home, reluctant to spend time with friends and family.
“The pain was just in my mind all the time.” After the first three visits at the pain clinic, she felt anew. “I would honestly say that it truly, truly helped with a lot of the issues. It taught me different ways to handle different strengths of the pain.”
Now McKune takes far less medication and has learned to manage her pain. Soon she hopes to volunteer at the clinic, sharing her story with others.
“If my story would help somebody else finish the program or make their life easier by just giving the program a chance, I would so love to do that.”
McKune’s story is common, said Perchek, who’s heard from others about the success of the pain clinic. Its services are covered under the Oregon Health Plan, with a sliding fee schedule for those covered by Moda Health.
Rather than rely on narcotic pain medications, Perchek is convinced this approach can make a difference.
“The opiate situation is very critical,” he said. “‘Frankly, I think they have been well over prescribed throughout the years.”
Columbia Pacific CCO sponsored and supported the creation of the North Coast Pain Clinic. It purchased the curriculum on which the treatment is based from Mid Valley Pain Clinic, then hired an external contractor specializing in pain treatment to help guide the project. The CCO’s own Transformation Specialist also served as an internal project manager. By funding the cost of the curriculum and all startup/operational costs for the first six months of operations, Columbia Pacific CCO made it possible for the clinic to become one of the county’s key resources.
The CCO met with providers, clinics and hospital systems to gain buy-in from clinicians and establish effective referral processes. It also facilitated contracting with major commercial providers, establishing a new form of treatment offered by large, local health organizations.
Two more clinics, one in Columbia County and another in Tillamook County, will be funded and supported by the CCO during their initial six months.
Shelby can be reached at [email protected].
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