Clinic Services & Treatment Program

Clinic Services:

Comprehensive evaluation of pain problems
Consultation for medication tailoring, adjustment
Comprehensive cancer pain management
Regional anesthesia – diagnostic and therapeutic nerve blocks
Acute pain service for in-patient population including epidural catheter analgesics
Nursing intervention programs
Integrated referrals for: Physical Therapy, Mental Health and Complimentary and Alternative Medicine

Treatment Goals:

To identify the medical, physiological and physical needs of the patient with chronic pain
To achieve the maximum pain relief possible
To learn new, alternative methods of reducing the experience of pain
To promote physical, behavioral and emotional health
To facilitate the patient’s return to normal life activities
To eliminate, when appropriate, the use of addictive pain medications

The Evaluation Process:

Complete medical history and physical examination
Diagnostic and/or therapeutic nerve blocks
Referral for specialized diagnostic evaluations: MRI, Nerve Conduction Studies, EMG Studies, psychological and behavioral evaluation if indicated

Treatment Program:

The Pain Management program may include any of the following components integrated into an individualized treatment plan.

Interventional Pain Management:

Regional nerve blocks: intrathecal, celiac, sympathetic, hypogastric plexus and ganglion impar
Epidural steroid blocks
Myofascial or trigger point blocks
Botox Injections
Spinal Cord Stimulator Implants
Pain Pump Implants
Accupuncture
Radio frequency lesioning

Nursing Interventions:

Pain control education
Muscle relaxation
Self-hypnosis, imagery

Referral Treatments:

Physical Therapy
TENS Therapy
Complimentary and alternative medicine
Biofeedback Therapy
Counseling
Stress Management
Bracing
Orthotics

Types of Pain

There are generally two types of pain -- acute pain and chronic pain. We hope these descriptions will help you understand the type of pain you have.

Acute Pain
Acute pain is temporary. It may last from a few seconds to several months. It usually goes away as normal healing occurs. Pain due to an injury or pain due to childbirth are examples of acute pain.

Pain after a surgical procedure is also called acute pain. This type of pain is called post-operative pain. Pain after surgery is not something that you "just have to put up with." Your doctors and nurses want you to be comfortable after surgery. They will ask you questions about where you feel the pain, how long it lasts and what causes the pain to increase or decrease.

Controlling pain after your surgery is very important to your recovery. With less pain you can start walking sooner, do your breathing exercises better, and may even leave the hospital sooner. Patients whose pain is well controlled after surgery may avoid some complications, such as pneumonia and blood clots.

There are different methods and treatment options for relieving your pain.

Chronic Pain
Chronic pain lasts long beyond the time of normal healing. Chronic pain may be the result of an injury that did not heal properly or may be due to other reasons such as nerve damage, cancer or arthritis. In some cases, the exact cause may not be known. The pain may be constant, lasting six months or longer or it may even come and go for months or years. Neck pain, lower back pain and migraine headaches are examples of chronic pain.

Chronic pain affects many people. It is one of the major reasons for disability in the United States. Chronic pain can make it difficult or even impossible for you to lead a normal lifestyle. Pain interferes with many aspects of your life -- physical, psychological, social and occupational. Dealing with chronic pain may make you feel depressed and it could change or sleeping or eating habits. There are a variety of treatment options and resources available for people with chronic pain.