When he’s not helping patients reclaim their quality of life, Dr. John Van Straten is often exploring the outdoors with his family — adventuring through state parks or visiting his home state of Michigan. A pain management specialist who celebrates every patient “win,” Dr. Van Straten finds daily inspiration in his patients’ strength and resilience. In his What Moves Me Q&A, he shares how time spent golfing, traveling, and exploring fuels his commitment to helping others live fully.
Name: John Van Straten
Years in Practice: 8
Hometown and State: Grand Rapids, Michigan
How do you like to spend your weekends? I spend my weekends with my family, and we travel to Michigan a lot. We also spend time at state parks “adventuring”.
What are your interests/activities outside of work? Golf, watching football, and traveling to national parks.
Where would you most like to travel but have never been? I would like to take an “around the world” cruise.
What made you decide to become a doctor and specifically in pain management? I became a doctor after working for several years in healthcare in various roles. I always admired what the physicians did and the sacrifices they made. I wanted to enjoy the satisfaction that comes with helping people in the community through their most vulnerable times. I specifically chose pain management due to the direct impact it had on the quality of life of my family.
What do you like best about practicing medicine? I like celebrating “wins”. In other words the best thing about medicine for me is when a patient and I are able to meet goals that we set together.
What inspires you most about your patients? Chronic pain is a devastating condition that is a constant presence for the afflicted person. I am inspired every day by seeing how motivated my patients are to adapt and improve their quality of life. When I see how people are able to flourish in non-ideal circumstances, I am inspired to work harder for them.
If there is one piece of advice you wish your patients would take to heart, what would it be? I always try to tell my patients to remember they are not alone out there. People who live in chronic pain don’t always have it written on their face, but almost everyone knows someone who is dealing with a painful condition. It is so important to have the right frame of mind when it comes to pain management. I try to ask patients to focus on their functionality more than how much pain they are in. I emphasize maintaining a social support structure in their lives. I always want my patients to go on vacations, attend that special event or even just go out to eat or to the movies whenever the opportunity arises. The cognitive benefits of choosing a full life despite the pain versus becoming isolated is the most underestimated component of pain management.
Dr. Van Straten,
ORA Orthopedics
