Grantee Spotlight: Penny George Institute for Health and Healing

Holistic Integrative Pain Program 

Author: Laurie Hennen, Penny George Institute Foundation 

It is estimated that 30% of Americans suffer from chronic pain.  According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 2011, 40 people die each day as a result of the overuse of prescription pain killers. The estimated costs of treating chronic pain in the US is an astonishing $600 billion annually. 

Despite its prevalence, conventional medicine remains ill-equipped to effectively treat chronic pain.  Thanks to funding from the George Family Foundation, that’s about to change.  The Penny George Institute for Health and Healing, through its revolutionary Holistic Integrative Pain Program (HIPP) combines the latest evidence-based neuroscience of chronic pain and the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine to reduce the impact of chronic pain on the individual and on society.  We are empowering patients through group synergy, mindfulness, tai chi, qui gong, health coaching and modern medicine to reduce patients’ pain and improve their quality of life. 

Patients will participate in an 8-week Shared Medical Appointment program designed to form new habits through daily and weekly goal setting, writing assignments, homework, and meeting weekly with their health coach.

While developed and initially deployed at Abbott Northwestern WestHealth, this program is well-positioned to be implemented throughout the Allina Health system.  The HIPP will provide primary care physicians, psychologists, physical therapists and complementary medicine practitioners with greater resources for their patients.

The Penny George Institute for Health and Healing’s Holistic Integrative Pain Program gives hope to those suffering with chronic pain.  It will change lives.