I'm not exactly sure how to participate in this discussion. Let me begin by saying that in 90% of medicine there is no absolute right or wrong answer.

I am a graduate and permanent member of a pain management clinic. It did change my life.

Here are some things I learned, in no particular order.

There is acute pain like from surgery or an injury, that is appropriately treated with medication to "get through it".

There is chronic pain, from a disease process, that worsens over time. Pain meds may or may not help it.

There is chronic pain that is part physical and part mental. This is where PMR can help.
In PMR or PMT we learn to recognize the different kinds of pain and treat each one appropriately.
For example, fibromyalgia pain and spine pain are a combination of pain, sensitivity, fatigue and other factors. NO ONE medication or strategy can manage it. So imagery, exercise, PT,and some medication is combined.

Pain from metastatic cancer is a whole different thing. Controlling the primary pain becomes the first goal, but many PMR strategies may be added to reduce the amount of meds required so one remains able to participate in life.

Some time ago big pharma "sold" the theory that "all pain can be managed with enough of the right drugs".
We now know that is not true, and as usually happens, instead of alkowing doctors to make a knowledgeable case by case decision, regulators jumped off a cliff to say "all opioids are bad".
Now there needs to be a middle ground.
But PLEASE don't say all pain management clinics are bad/wrong/worthless. That is equally incorrect as saying "all pain can be managed by drugs"

Work with your providers to find that middle ground. Work with your legislators turn medical decisions back to the professionals.

And keep an open mind about alternative approaches.