Noah Hass, a trimester 10 Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) student at Logan University, is working on his preceptorship within the Integrated Health Centers Affinia Healthcare rotation – a community health center serving the safety net population historically impacted by low socioeconomic status, chronic pain and the opioid crisis.
Known for his motivation and innovative ideas, Noah was placed with a pain management team, working closely with Kelsey Lewis, DC (’17), a seasoned clinician at Logan University Health Centers. Dr. Lewis had long been a proponent of integrating chiropractic care into pain management strategies, especially for patients suffering from chronic pain and opioid dependency.
One of Noah’s most significant cases involved a patient who had been attempting to solely manage his pain, following a work-related accident in the early 2000s, with narcotic medication. The patient’s quality of life had been severely diminished, with a sedentary lifestyle and a bleak outlook on life. However, under the guidance of Dr. Lewis and the collaborative efforts of a multidisciplinary team—including internal medicine, a clinical pharmacist and a behavioral health specialist—Noah played a pivotal role in the patient’s journey to recovery.
Noah’s approach was hands-on, focusing on behavioral changes and mindfulness practices alongside chiropractic care. Over time, the patient began to experience remarkable improvements. He gradually reduced his opioid intake from 50 mg to 10mg, started participating in water aerobics and even began sleeping better. His wife noticed a significant change in his demeanor; he was more active, had joined the YMCA and was making new friends—something unimaginable just months before.
“I am so proud of the work Noah has done, especially with this patient,” said Dr. Lewis. “This is a powerful example of how integrating chiropractic care into a contemporary pain management team can transform lives. It also served as an outlet for highlighting the crucial role of chiropractic care in managing chronic pain and reducing dependency on opioids in vulnerable communities.”
Logan staff and students provide chiropractic care for Affinia patients, which is invaluable. “Chiropractic care is filling the gap in the bio-psycho-social model of Affinia’s chronic pain program and is an integral part of our interdisciplinary treatment approach, working together to address chronic pain,” said Rajeev John, behavioral health specialist at Affinia.