Imagine a world where chronic pain, whether from arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, or migraines, is managed without pills or invasive procedures, right from the comfort of your home. AVACEN Medical, a Carlsbad, California, USA-based company, is making this a reality with its innovative, devices that harness the power of microcirculation to transform lives. By combining heat therapy with negative pressure applied through the palm of the hand, AVACEN’s technology enhances blood flow, delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues while reducing pain and inflammation. This revolutionary approach, known as the AVACEN Treatment Method (ATM), is reshaping how we address chronic pain and wellness, offering a drug-free, noninvasive solution that’s both safe and effective.

Before we learn about AVACEN and how microcirculation works, it’s important to understand the healthcare challenges these devices solve.

Based on recent data, approximately 51.6 million U.S. adults (20.9% of the adult population) experienced chronic pain in 2021. Chronic pain is defined as pain lasting three months or more, according to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) conducted by the CDC. Of these, about 17.1 million adults (6.9%) suffered from high-impact chronic pain, which significantly limits daily activities such as work or self-care.

Prevalence of chronic pain in the United States

In 2023, the prevalence slightly increased, with 24.3% of adults reporting chronic pain, and 8.5% (around 21 million) experiencing high-impact chronic pain. These figures highlight chronic pain as a major public health issue, surpassing conditions like diabetes, depression, and high blood pressure in incidence.

Certain groups face higher rates of chronic pain: women (26.3% vs. 22.1% for men in 2023), senior adults (36% of those 65+), (30.7%) of people living in poverty, rural areas, or with public health insurance, experience chronic pain.

Back pain (41%) and hip, knee, or foot pain (44%) are the most common types, often linked to arthritis, nerve damage, or old injuries.

Global prevalence of chronic pain

Globally, estimates suggest that at least 10% of the world’s population, or approximately 780 million people, suffer from chronic pain. Some sources, including the U.S. Pain Foundation, estimate this figure could be as high as 1.5 billion people.

But here’s what’s interesting, more people are seeking natural ways to manage their pain. Let’s explore why.

Chronic pain among U.S. Veterans

U.S. veterans experience chronic pain at significantly higher rates than the general population, largely due to combat-related injuries, musculoskeletal issues, and associated comorbidities. Comorbidities means the simultaneous presence of two or more diseases or medical conditions in a person.

U.S. veterans serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), and Operation New Dawn (OND) often carried equipment loads that weighed more than a medieval knight’s armor. During OIF, OEF, and OND, U.S. soldiers, particularly infantrymen, carried heavy combat loads due to the demands of counterinsurgency operations, urban warfare, and prolonged patrols in harsh environments.

According to a 2018 article from War History Online, the average combat load for a U.S. Army soldier in OIF during the mid-2000s often exceeded 88 pounds (40 kg) and could reach up to 120 pounds (54 kg) for extended missions.

Listen to the New Normal Big Life podcast 'Body Hack Helping Veterans Ditch Pain Medications,' to hear what veterans carried and how much it weighed.

A 2006 House Armed Services Committee hearing noted that the heavy weight of equipment, particularly up-armored vehicles and body armor, increased risks like vehicle rollovers and physical strain, contributing to injuries.

The prolonged carrying of such loads, often in extreme heat and over uneven terrain, led to significant musculoskeletal issues, with 50% of combat wounds in OIF/OEF being musculoskeletal extremity injuries, many made worse by heavy loads.

Medieval knight’s armor vs the modern warfighter

Medieval knights, particularly from the 14th to 16th centuries, wore full plate armor designed for combat, which was surprisingly lighter than modern military loads in many cases. Historical records and studies of surviving armor indicate:

• Full Plate Armor: A complete suit of late medieval plate armor (e.g., for a knight in the 15th century) typically weighed 45 – 55 pounds (20 – 25 kg) for high-quality, tailored suits used by mounted knights. This included the helmet, breastplate, pauldrons, gauntlets, greaves, and chainmail components.
• Additional Gear: Knights also carried weapons like a longsword (2 – 4 pounds), shield (5 – 10 pounds), and sometimes a lance (5 – 10 pounds), bringing the total combat load to around 50 – 70 pounds (22.7 – 31.8 kg) for a fully equipped knight on foot.

The average combat load for OIF/OEF/OND soldiers (88 – 120 pounds) significantly exceeds the typical weight of a medieval knight’s armor (50 – 70 pounds).

Why this matters for chronic pain

The excessive weight of modern military equipment, compared to the relatively lighter medieval knight’s armor, has significant health implications for veterans. The VA’s Musculoskeletal Diagnoses Cohort found that over 5.2 million veterans had musculoskeletal diagnoses, many linked to heavy loads carried during OIF/OEF/OND.

The VA’s focus on nonpharmacologic treatments, like the AVACEN Treatment Method, aligns with veterans’ needs for drug-free pain relief. AVACEN’s microcirculation therapy, which enhances blood flow to reduce pain, has been integrated into VA programs, with testimonials like a veteran stating, “The anxiety and muscle tension just melted away.” This underscores the importance of innovations like AVACEN’s noninvasive therapy, which offers a natural, effective solution for managing veterans’ chronic pain without the risks of opioids.

Forsgren said eligible veterans can ask their VA pain management team or physical therapist to order an AVACEN device for home use. She cautioned that processes vary at each VA facility and sometimes veterans are allowed to use the device at home on a temporary basis for a specified time. Or you might be authorized to keep the device for at home use indefinitely. I contacted my VA physical therapist, they weren’t sure how to start the process, but they’re working on ordering a device for me. I’ll keep you post on my progress on X.

Why more people seek natural pain management

The high prevalence of chronic pain, combined with the opioid crisis, drives the shift toward natural pain management. The risk of addiction (7.8 – 11.7% of chronic pain patients develop opioid use disorder) and limited long-term efficacy of opioids (average pain reduction of only 30%) have fueled distrust in pharmacologic solutions.

I suffer from chronic pain. After sustaining a TBI and broken back during my 11 years of service in the U.S. Army, I have arthritis from my neck to my tailbone, and in both knees. However, the only time that I ever take pain medication is when the pain is so severe that it feels unmanageable using natural remedies. And that rarely happens.

Integrative therapies like acupuncture, yoga, meditation and breathwork, and physical therapy are also increasingly adopted, with 77% of chiropractic care recipients reporting it as “very effective” for back pain.

Chronic pain affects 51.6 – 60 million Americans and 780 million to 1.5 billion people globally, with significant physical, mental, and economic tolls.

Opioids dominate pain management in the US and much of the developed world due to their potency, but their risks, evidenced by 81,000 US deaths and 480,000 global deaths annually, have fueled a shift toward natural alternatives. Innovations like AVACEN’s microcirculation therapy, alongside growing awareness of opioid limitations and holistic health trends, are empowering patients to seek safer, sustainable pain relief options.

You can hear Forsgren talk about the additional benefits of AVACEN’s microcirculation solution to the chronic pain challenge like better sleep and collagen production to slow aging on the New Normal Big Life podcast. Find us wherever you get your podcasts.

What is microcirculation for pain management?

Microcirculation, the blood flow through the body’s smallest vessels, accounts for about 74% of the vascular system and is critical for delivering oxygen, nutrients, and removing waste. As Danielle Forsgren, AVACEN’s Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer, explains, “We’re noninvasive, and we help your entire body through the palm of a hand.”

The process involves placing the hand in a patented mitt inside a vacuum chamber, where heat and negative pressure target the arteriovenous anastomoses (AVAs) in the palm. This 20-minute treatment raises blood temperature, reduces viscosity or blood thickness, and boosts systemic circulation, helping alleviate pain associated with conditions like Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Raynaud’s, and Lyme disease.

The science behind AVACEN is robust, with clinical studies validating its efficacy. A study sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the University of California, San Diego, found a statistically significant reduction in widespread pain among fibromyalgia patients.

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Conclusion

Chronic pain affects millions, with 60 million Americans and up to 1.5 billion people globally grappling with its debilitating impact, including 5.9 million U.S. veterans, many burdened by heavy combat loads from OIF/OEF/OND. The opioid crisis, claiming 81,000 U.S. lives annually, underscores the urgent need for safer alternatives. AVACEN Medical’s FDA-cleared, noninvasive devices offer a revolutionary solution, enhancing microcirculation to relieve pain from arthritis, fibromyalgia, and more, without drugs. Veterans and civilians alike, like Sarah, who saw “significant” arthritis relief, praise its effectiveness. With over 25 million safe treatments, AVACEN’s HOME XL™ and PRO+™ devices empower users to reclaim their lives. Don’t let pain define you, talk to your healthcare team today about integrating AVACEN’s technology into your pain management plan, whether at home or in a clinical setting. Visit AVACEN.com to learn how this breakthrough can transform your wellness journey. Or contact your VA healthcare team.

This is a bit off-topic, but before we wrap things up, I want to recommend that all the parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles go to Danielle Forsgren’s legallydiva.com website and buy a copy of ‘Auntie Diva's School of Charm” it’s a delightful story for young ladies ages 7 - 11 who are interested in a world where cultivating confidence, courtesy, grace, and kindness to make their world a better place can learn how from an accomplished Diva herself. If you follow me on X, you’ve probably read or heard me say that I was a debutant. From age 15 to 16, I spent two hours every Sunday learning how to be a lady in polite society from a very stern French woman. These skills enabled a middle class kid from Queens, New York like me to feel comfortable and confident as a tech CEO in a world of the wealthy and connected. Not having these skills is why many professional athletes struggle to feel comfortable with sudden wealth and the social and business circles in which they now travel. Get a copy of ‘Auntie Diva's School of Charm’ at legallydiva.com.

You can learn more about Danielle Forsgren and how to connect with her through the links below.

AVACEN.com + LegallyDiva.com

Listen to my chat with Forsgren at New Normal Big Life, wherever you get your podcasts.

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We want to hear from you. Take a three-question survey. Tell us about your biggest health challenge. We'll do the research and publish helpful information about the topics that interest you the most.

Citations List:

• AVACEN Medical News: Top Doctor Feature
• How It Works | AVACEN Treatment Method
• Frost & Sullivan Recognizes AVACEN Medical
• AVACEN Medical Experiences
• AVACEN for VA Health
• BioHack Yourself at A4M Longevity Conference
• AVACEN Microcirculation Wellness Event
• MedTech Outlook Recognizes AVACEN Medical
• Danielle Forsgren - BioStacking Summit
• CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain — United States, 2022
• Psychiatry.org - Opioid Use Disorder
• Opioid Overdose - WHO
• About Prescription Opioids | Overdose Prevention | CDC
• Opioid Use Disorder: Evaluation and Management - StatPearls
• Pain Management and the Intersection of Pain and Opioid Use Disorder
• Availability and Utilization of Opioids for Pain Management: Global Issues
• Understanding the Opioid Overdose Epidemic | CDC
• Chronic Pain Management and Opioid Misuse: A Public Health Concern
• War History Online: Packing Heavy! The Combat Kit for U.S. Soldiers in Operation Iraqi Freedom
• H.A.S.C. No. 110-6: Army Force Protection Equipment for OIF and OEF
• Epidemiology of Combat Wounds in OIF/OEF
• Physical Activity in Postdeployment OIF/OEF Veterans