Chronic Pain Mitigation and Opioid Weaning at a Multidisciplinary AIDS Clinic: A Case Report

This case report examined the effect of a 24-session PT intervention aimed at decreasing chronic pain and opioid weaning for a 64-year-old patient at a multidisciplinary AIDS clinic in Atlanta, Georgia. The PT intervention focused on pain mitigation, utilizing using pain-relief techniques such as a home TENS unit, home stretching regimen, diaphragmatic breathing techniques. In this complex chronic pain case with a patient on chronic opioid therapy, multidisciplinary communication is key in successful management. To truly address opiate weaning in the context of pain management, physical therapists' expertise in pain management should ideally be complemented by close communication with the patient's primary medical provider.