Emerging Paradigms and Future Directions

EPF-07 - Paradigm Shift in Chronic Pain Care: From Symptoms to Function

Friday, September 11, 2026

10:35 AM - 11:25 AM PDT

Co-Presenter(s)

David C. Leopold, MD DABFM, DABOIM, DiplABLM

Network Medical Director Integrative Health and Medicine
Hackensack Meridian Health
Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
Fair Haven, New Jersey
Stephanie G. Vanterpool, MD, MBA, FASA

Director, Comprehensive Pain ServicesAssociate Professor of Anesthesiology
University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee

Chronic pain care has long focused on reducing symptoms and lowering pain scores. Yet symptom suppression alone does not restore function. This session challenges the symptom-first model and presents a function-focused, mechanism-based approach to chronic pain management. Attendees will learn how accurate diagnosis can guide targeted treatment across interventional, pharmacologic, rehabilitative, psychosocial, and integrative domains. Through practical tools and clinical frameworks, presenters will demonstrate how to move from symptom control to restoration of function and patient engagement in everyday practice.

Learning Objectives:

Challenge the symptom-first model in chronic pain care.
Conduct mechanism-based pain assessments to guide targeted treatment.
Integrate interventional, rehabilitative, psychosocial, and integrative health strategies.
Advance function-first, goal-directed rehabilitation.
Implement a practical framework for function restoration.