Occupational Therapist Champions Change in Chronic Pain Care

Addressing a Critical Need with Innovation

Lydia Nemirovsky is an OTR from Maryland who is revolutionizing chronic pain management with her private practice, Specialty Pain Management Services (SPMS). Throughout her career, Lydia witnessed how pain was a universal barrier to the rehabilitation process. Nearly 1 in 5 American adults suffer from chronic pain, but traditional methods for treating pain have often been inadequate to address a variety of pain conditions, relying heavily on medications, invasive procedures, and surgeries. To address this issue, Lydia started SPMS in 2021. SPMS is a home-based therapy practice that uses behavioral and lifestyle changes to address chronic pain for adults and older adults. The company prioritizes evidence-based interventions and a client-centered approach, demonstrably improving the lives of clients struggling with chronic pain. SPMS’s philosophy is rooted in the latest research, recognizing chronic pain as a complex issue influenced by biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors. This neurological and biopsychosocial perspective guides the treatment plans. SPMS has rapidly expanded since its inception. In addition to occupational therapy, the company now offers multidisciplinary services including physical therapy and pain management coaching across several counties in Maryland.

Measurable Results and Client Success Stories

SPMS's comprehensive treatment plans incorporate a variety of interventions, including pain science education; lifestyle modifications that focus on sleep, stress management, nutrition, medication management, and movement; environmental modifications to optimize living spaces; and occupational therapy interventions tailored to each client's needs. All evaluations and interventions are conducted directly in clients’ homes by skilled occupational therapists trained in pain management. Each client receives two or three visits a week for eight to 12 weeks to help facilitate and implement the lifestyle and behavior changes.

The effectiveness of SPMS’s approach is evident in the outcomes. Clients complete the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ) before and after interventions begin to measure their confidence in managing pain on their own. After receiving care from SPMS, clients rate their pain self-efficacy score at an average of 7.2 points higher than when they first complete the PSEQ. This significant improvement translates to greater confidence in clients’ ability to manage their pain independently.

Positive testimonials further paint a picture of SPMS's impact. “No one has been able to help with pain the way that you have,” shared one client. Another expressed their satisfaction with the care received, while a third highlighted the encouragement and support they received from SPMS.

“What you are doing, the niche that you fill, is so important and needed. ... I am extremely satisfied with my care.”

SPMS Client

“[The therapist] has shown me things that I never thought of, small things that make a huge difference. I am very, very happy with the care I received.”

SPMS Client

Beyond Individual Care: A Commitment to Systemic Change

Lydia’s work at SPMS extends beyond individual client success. She is actively engaged in efforts to champion change within the health care system. SPMS works to educate the health care community about evidence-based chronic pain management approaches. Additionally, the company strives to break down barriers to care by offering in-home and telehealth services, ensuring greater accessibility. Financial barriers are also addressed through working with Medicare, Medicaid, and various insurance companies to maximize coverage for services.

Lydia is also the host of the podcast The Pain Management Toolbox, where she engages listeners with discussions on the vast world of pain management, including topics related to self-healing, non-pharmacological pain options, and modern pain concepts. She interviews leaders in health care and wellness while uncovering pain management options that are effective and within reach. Lydia's visionary perspective combines science and experience to offer hope, practical advice, and a pathway to harness the body's innate ability to heal.

Through Lydia’s and SPMS's innovative practice and dedication to both individual and systemic change, individuals with chronic pain are empowered to live their lives to the fullest.