In workers’ comp, chronic pain is not just a medical issue—it’s a cost driver, a productivity barrier, and often a root cause of long-term disability. That’s why interdisciplinary chronic pain programs are gaining traction as a smarter, more holistic approach—especially for older injured workers.
Let’s explore why these programs matter, how they work, and the measurable benefits they bring to both employees and employers.
Why Chronic Pain Is Harder to Manage in Older Workers
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of workers aged 55 and older continues to rise steadily. This segment of the workforce is often safer and more experienced, but when injuries do occur, they tend to be more severe and take longer to heal.
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Here’s why chronic pain is more prevalent—and more complex—in aging employees:
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Slower tissue healing and recovery
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Higher incidence of comorbid conditions (e.g., diabetes, arthritis, cardiovascular issues)
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Greater susceptibility to medication side effects
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Longer exposure to physical job stressors
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Increased psychosocial barriers (e.g., depression, fear of reinjury, isolation)
These factors contribute to injuries that linger, convert into chronic pain claims, and drive up medical costs, lost-time days, and permanent disability ratings.
What Is a Chronic Pain Program?
Chronic pain is typically defined as pain that persists beyond the expected healing time—usually more than three months. A chronic pain program (CPP) brings together medical, psychological, and functional disciplines to address the full spectrum of what the injured worker is experiencing.
A high-quality CPP may include:
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Pain management specialists and physicians
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Psychologists or behavioral therapists
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Physical and occupational therapists
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Nurse case managers and adjusters
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Functional restoration and return-to-work planning
Rather than treating pain in isolation, the team evaluates the worker’s entire condition and builds a personalized plan that considers both physical and mental health.
Why Interdisciplinary Programs Work
Traditional treatment models often fail chronic pain patients by focusing too narrowly on medications or physical therapy. When one part of the puzzle is missing, recovery stalls.
CPPs succeed by taking a whole-person approach to pain:
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Medical treatment targets underlying physical issues, like joint damage or nerve sensitivity.
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Psychological therapy addresses anxiety, depression, and pain catastrophizing that can amplify symptoms.
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Functional rehabilitation helps the worker regain strength, mobility, and confidence in their body.
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Case management oversight ensures the treatment plan stays on track and aligned with return-to-work goals.
One major advantage? These programs often reduce reliance on opioids, which can worsen outcomes, create dependency, and inflate claim costs.
The Opioid Angle: Why This Matters
Older workers are more likely to be prescribed opioids—and for longer periods—than younger workers. Unfortunately, opioid use often correlates with longer claim durations and higher rates of permanent disability.
Interdisciplinary CPPs help break this cycle by introducing alternative pain management strategies, including:
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Cognitive behavioral therapy
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Functional restoration programs
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Non-narcotic medications
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Neuromuscular re-education
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Biofeedback or neurofeedback therapy
Employers that implement these programs see a reduction in opioid prescriptions, fewer surgeries, and faster return-to-work rates.
Aging Workforce = Proactive Planning
If your employee population includes a significant number of workers aged 50+, it’s time to rethink how your claims program handles pain. Chronic pain isn’t going away—but how you manage it can dramatically change your outcomes.
Here are a few best practices to get started:
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Use predictive analytics or data mining to identify claims at risk for chronic pain.
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Establish protocols for early referral into a chronic pain program.
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Involve nurse case managers and adjusters early to coordinate care.
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Vet vendors for experience in interdisciplinary care and workers’ comp.
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Educate injured workers on pain recovery strategies and non-opioid options.
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Monitor progress through metrics like functional capacity, medication use, and return-to-work status.
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Conclusion: Better Care, Lower Costs
Chronic pain programs aren’t just about treating pain—they’re about restoring function, rebuilding confidence, and breaking the cycle of long-term disability. For aging workers, this holistic model of care is more than effective—it’s essential.
By addressing chronic pain early and comprehensively, employers can shorten claim duration, reduce medical and indemnity costs, and support older workers in returning to meaningful work.
That’s not just good cost control. It’s smart workforce management.
Michael Stack, CEO of Amaxx LLC, is an expert in workers’ compensation cost containment systems and provides education, training, and consulting to help employers reduce their workers’ compensation costs by 20% to 50%. He is co-author of the #1 selling comprehensive training guide “Your Ultimate Guide to Mastering Workers’ Comp Costs: Reduce Costs 20% to 50%.” Stack is the creator of Injury Management Results (IMR) software and founder of Amaxx Workers’ Comp Training Center. WC Mastery Training teaching injury management best practices such as return to work, communication, claims best practices, medical management, and working with vendors. IMR software simplifies the implementation of these best practices for employers and ties results to a Critical Metrics Dashboard.
Contact: mstack@reduceyourworkerscomp.com.
Workers’ Comp Roundup Blog: http://blog.reduceyourworkerscomp.com/
Injury Management Results (IMR) Software: https://imrsoftware.com/
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