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Online Pain Management: How to Treat Chronic Back & Joint Pain Virtually

About the Author

Alex Goldberg

Alex worked at three early-stage startups before starting Fin vs Fin. Covering the rise of direct-to-consumer health, his mission is to help patients access better treatments online. He's also a husband, father, and UC Berkeley grad who enjoys golf, podcasts, live music, cooking, and home improvement.

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Medically reviewed by:
Dr. Steve Kim, MD

About Dr. Steve Kim, MD

Physician Advisor

Dr. Kim received his BA in Human Biology at Stanford University, before receiving his M.D. degree (Primary Care Track) from UC Davis School of Medicine. He completed his Internship & Residency in Family Practice from Glendale Adventist Hospital and is Board-Certified in Family Medicine via the American Board of Family Medicine. He has held faculty appointments at Stanford & UCSF medical schools and has championed telemedicine for decades. He is also a decorated, retired Flight Surgeon from the US Air Force Reserves.

In this Article

In this Article

Alex Goldberg

Living with chronic pain can be a challenge. It can prevent you from doing the things you love and make everyday activities difficult. Thankfully, there are several online pain management platforms that can help you get the treatment you need to manage your pain.

 

In this article, we will discuss seven of the best chronic pain treatment providers. These providers offer a variety of services including prescription medications, physical therapy, and health coaching. We will also discuss their approach to treating chronic pain.

 

If you are looking for an online pain management platform that can help you get your life back, look no further! These seven platforms offer a variety of services that can help you manage your pain and live a fuller life.

 

Best online pain management program

 

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Best online pain management doctors that prescribe medication

Out of the seven pain management programs, three of these prescribe medications for pain relief. 

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Dorsal pain relief medications review

As with the other two platforms on this list able to provide prescriptions, Dorsal provides opioid-free pain management medication options for those who are interested.

 

These include:

  • Muscle relaxers – Muscle relaxers such as baclofen, cyclobenzaprine, and tizanidine can be effective at relieving muscle spasms and pain.
  • Nerve pain medications – Nerve pain medications such as gabapentin and pregabalin can help to relieve neuropathic pain.
  • Oral anti-inflammatory drugs – These can help to reduce inflammation and pain, and include drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
  • Topical anti-inflammatory drugs – These are applied directly to the skin and can be helpful for joint or back pain. An example would be Voltaren (diclofenac) topical gel.
  • Corticosteroids – These are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs that can be taken orally or injected directly into the affected area.
  • SNRI & TCA medications – SNRI (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) and TCA (tricyclic antidepressants) medications can help to relieve nerve pain.

 

Dorsal also offers monthly doctor visits, physical therapy, and health coaching to help you manage your chronic pain.

 

Vori Health pain relief medications review

Vori Health offers the same range of pain management options as Dorsal, including prescription medications, physical therapy, and health coaching.

 

Both Dorsal and Vori Health offer a comprehensive approach to chronic pain management that includes medication and non-medication options. If you’re looking for an online pain management platform, these two are great places to start.

 

 

 

Clearing pain relief medications review

In addition to the pain medications listed above, Clearing offers a range of holistic options, including CBD and Vitamin Supplements.

 

CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis that has shown promise in reducing inflammation and pain.

 

Vitamin supplements are another holistic option that can help improve overall health and reduce inflammation.

 

Best virtual physical therapy programs for pain relief

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Dorsal physical therapy review

Dorsal offers a combination of prescription medication, physical therapy, exercise, and health coaching to treat chronic pain.

 

Their approach is based on the latest scientific research and aims to reduce inflammation and pain without the use of addictive pain medications.

 

They offer a free consultation to assess your individual needs and develop a treatment plan that is tailored to you.

 

Doral offers unlimited online doctor visits, so you can get the care and support you need from the comfort of your own home. Dorsal focuses on combination therapy to provide the best care possible.

 

 

 

Vori Health physical therapy review

The focus of Vori Health is convenience, and they offer an online platform that makes it easy to get started with treatment.

 

They have a team of online pain management doctors who will develop a personalized treatment plan for you based on your individual needs.

 

Vori Health offers physical therapy to help you recover from injuries and manage chronic pain. They also offer health coaching to help you make lifestyle changes to improve your overall health.

 

 

Clearing physical therapy review

Clearing is an app-based service founded on the principle that you should be able to get the care you need when it’s convenient for you.

 

They offer a more holistic approach to pain management, which includes both physical therapy and health coaching.

 

As one of the three platforms able to offer prescription medications, Clearing combines the convenience of online care with the personalization of in-person treatment.

 

If you’re looking for an online pain management platform that can offer you a comprehensive approach to your chronic pain, Clearing is a great option.

 

Their combination of virtual physical therapy, health coaching, and prescription medications makes them a well-rounded choice for anyone struggling with chronic pain.

 

 

 

Hinge Health physical therapy review

Hinge Health is unique on this list in that it is a service paid for by employers that offers physical therapy and other wellness services to employees.

 

Their focus on physical therapy makes them a good choice for anyone looking to take a more active approach to their pain management. Their comprehensive back and joint programs can help you get to the root of your pain and start working on a solution.

 

Their team of physical therapists, health coaches, and orthopedic specialists will develop a custom plan to help you reach your goals.

 

While their services are not available to everyone, if your employer offers Hinge Health as a benefit, it is definitely worth taking advantage of.

 

 

 

 

PeerWell physical therapy review

PeerWell‘s telemedicine platform offers a convenient way to get started with physical therapy from the comfort of your own home.

 

Their online portal makes it easy to schedule appointments, view your progress, and contact your therapist. The app offers a daily, almost gamified, program that includes daily activities that reduce your pain based on nutrition and physical therapy. The app also offers progress tracking to help you stay on track.

 

PeerWell is also an in-network provider for most insurance health plans, meaning that you’re likely to get coverage for their services.

 

 

 

Lin Health physical therapy review

Lin Health takes a ‘brain first’ approach to pain management, which means they focus on addressing the source of your pain, rather than just treating the symptoms.

 

They use a combination of techniques including neuroscience education, association rebuilding, trigger reduction, and multidisciplinary support to help you manage your pain.

 

They also offer health coaching to help you make lifestyle changes that can reduce your pain.

 

While they do accept FSA/HSA payments, Lin Health is not covered by insurance.

 

 

 

Curable physical therapy review

A subscription-based self-help system, Curable offers a ‘different approach to your pain’, using a biopsychosocial approach that uses education, coaching, and community support to help you manage your pain.

 

Each patient is connected with a virtual pain coach, who will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan.

 

Curable also offers group coaching, which can provide support and accountability from others going through similar experiences.

 

 

 

The verdict — Which program offers the best treatment for chronic pain?

The online pain management program that works best for you will depend on what you need from your care.

 

The providers on this list can largely be split into three options: 

 

  1. Combined care options – can prescribe medication and offer other services like physical therapy. These include Dorsal, Vori Health, and Clearable.
  • If you’re looking for a broad spectrum approach that includes non-opioid prescription pain medication, health coaching, and other services, you’ll want to check out one of these services.
  • Of these three, Dorsal stands out as the most comprehensive, although Vori Health and Clearable are a close second if you want to pay on a per-service basis rather than a subscription model.

 

  1. Virtual physical therapy without medicationHinge Health and PeerWell. Hinge Health is a great option if your employer offers it, as this makes it entirely free. Their use of wearable sensors is also unique and could be a game-changer for some people.

 

  1. Health coaching only – typically more affordable than the other options, but may not be as comprehensive.
  • Lin Health and Curable‘s ‘biopsychosocial approach’ does have a level of scientific validity to it, as they are quick to point out on their websites, but, as with any brain-first treatment, its effectiveness will depend on the individual.
  • If you’ve had previous success with CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), meditation, or other cognitive treatments, it’s worth considering one of these programs.

 

These are only a few of the many, many online pain management options available. The best one for you will depend on your specific situation and needs. Do some research, talk to your doctor, and find the one that’s right for you.

 

The bottom line is that there are options out there if you’re looking for an alternative to traditional pain management. You just have to know where to look. And, as with anything, be sure to do your research before making any decisions.

 

Have you tried any of these online pain management platforms? What was your experience like?

 

Discover more pain management startups

About the Author

Alex Goldberg

Alex worked at three early-stage startups before starting Fin vs Fin. Covering the rise of direct-to-consumer health, his mission is to help patients access better treatments online. He's also a husband, father, and UC Berkeley grad who enjoys golf, podcasts, live music, cooking, and home improvement.

Learn more
Alex Goldberg

Alex Goldberg

Alex worked at three early-stage startups before starting Fin vs Fin. Covering the rise of direct-to-consumer health, his mission is to help patients access better treatments online. He's also a husband, father, and UC Berkeley grad who enjoys golf, podcasts, live music, cooking, and home improvement.

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