Due to the rapid advances of modern medicine, there are many varieties
of treatments available for pain. The degree of pain varies from person
to person, so your treatment plan will be tailored to your specific needs
and circumstances. Treatment may include a single approach or a combination
of medications, therapies and procedures such as:
Medications
Pain Medicines
Narcotic pain medicines are often used to treat acute pain or cancer
pain. They are prescribed for chronic pain also in conjunction with
other modalities of treatment or after other modalities have failed.
Anti-inflammatory drugs
Aspirin-like drugs are the most commonly used medications of this
type. They not only reduce-swelling and irritation but also can relieve
pain.
Anti-depressants
Originally used only to treat depression, studies have shown that
these medications can alleviate pain in certain situations. Furthermore,
they may have the added benefit of helping the patient to sleep at
night.
Anti-seizure medications
These medications may help relieve certain types of pain by reducing
abnormal electrical discharges in damaged nerves.
Other medications
You may be prescribed other types of medicine(s) that are more specific
to the type of pain you are experiencing.
Injection Treatments
Local anesthetics, with or without cortisone-like medicines, can be
injected around nerve, epidural space or into joint. These may act
to reduce swelling, irritation, muscle spasms or abnormal nerve transmissions
that can cause pain.
Epidural injections
Facet joint blocks/neurolysis
Intradiscal thermal therapy
SI joint injections
Lysis of adhesions
Spinal Endoscopy
Spinal cord stimulation
Morphine pumps
Trigger point injections
Physical Therapy
Exercise and education are some of the treatments that a physical
therapist may provide for you.
Surgery
When necessary, often surgical treatment may be recommended. Some
minimally invasive surgeries (disc heating, etc.), spinal cord stimulation
or morphine pumps are offered at our center.
Psychotherapy
When necessary, psychotherapy along with medication management is
offered.