A Way Forward is an organization dedicated to helping people manage  chronic pain and improve their quality of life. The A Way Forward core principles have been developed and implemented by Ron Weaver.

 

       The A Way Forward program content covers: Adjusting thoughts about pain; how pain is dealt with; raising tolerance levels; changing emotional pain labels; wellness practices to increase the body’s ability to manage pain; visualizing control over pain; and methods to avoid increasing pain.

 

​       This comprehensive educational curriculum is typically presented to patients in a set of 6 or 8 week sessions and they are one hour in length. However, the program can be designed to accommodate the needs of the facility, clinic or hospital.  It can be managed within a Shared Medical Appointment (SMA) model or offered independently by the medical entity. 

 

        Classes are currently being presented at Marimn Health in Plummer, ID and at CHAS Valley Medical Clinic in Spokane, WA.  Mr. Weaver also conducts one on one peer mentoring sessions. A Way Forward has held classes at Heritage Health, Coeur d'Alene, ID; Axis Spine Center, Post Falls, ID; Idaho Pain Clinic, Sandpoint, ID; Northwest Specialty Hospital, Post Falls, ID; and Integrated Pain Management in Spokane, WA.  The AWF program has also been implemented at Chelan Family Medicine in Chelan, WA.

 

        In addition to his busy teaching schedule, Mr. Weaver is frequently a featured speaker at health care conferences around the country presenting to physicians, health care providers, and others working with chronic pain patients. Click here for example

 

​        In partnership with Dr. Marian Wilson from Washington State University, the A Way Forward program has been part of a research study which concluded with documented positive outcomes. This data is available on request. Click here for study results

 

       “It is my desire and passion to share what I have learned to help those dealing with chronic pain in their own life, as well as the lives of their loved ones.  The first thing you have to do is realize that pain is not your enemy, and it is not your friend.  Pain is your companion, and you have to begin the process to accept that. This is step one.” Ron Weaver.       

 

Ron Weaver

Founder and Director, “A Way Forward”