Treatments for Pain

PHYSICAL THERAPY
The human body is dependent on function and movement to remain healthy. Therefore, the longer an injured body part is immobile, the more difficult the return to normal health. The re-education of the nervous system is dependent on restoring normal movement, normal range of motion and strength, and the correction of functional abnormalities. Our pain physicians believe that early and aggressive functional restoration is vital to controlling pain, and restoring function. It is important to move the patient as quickly as possible from dependent, or passive physical therapy modalities, to movement based therapy. However, the patient’s pain must be controlled in order to allow functional improvement. Pain control without pressing forward without functional physical therapy, is incomplete treatment. However, physical therapy without adequate pain control is usually impossible because of the discomfort. Our policy is the early use of aquatic therapeutic exercise, to increase the chance of greater movement with less pain.

NERVE BLOCKS: DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC
Our physicians are experts in the placement of medications at specific locations of the spine, nervous system, joints, peripheral nerves, and soft tissues. This is done to treat pain syndromes, or to diagnose the problem that might be causing pain. Some injections are performed in the office, but most are performed at an outpatient surgical facility. Many of the procedures are performed with fluoroscopy, a type of x-ray, so that the needle can be directed specifically to the site in question. If the patient desires, a mild sedative can be given for maximum comfort and relaxation. The patient should expect a discussion of the purpose, risks, side effects, complications, and desired results of injection procedures. When indicated, the following procedures are expertly performed by our physicians.

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIORAL THERAPY
The diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain must also include the emotional and psychogenic components of the problem. It is impossible for a human being to experience chronic pain, and not have this impact the individual’s perceptions, mood, temperament, hopes, and abilities to deal with other people. Most chronic pain sufferers have a degree of depression and frustration. This is a normal reaction and the opposite reaction would be considered abnormal. The control of pain must include tools to help control and focus the power of the mind toward the problem. Our psychological professionals use individual and group therapy, biofeedback techniques, hypnotherapy, visualization, and relaxation training to control symptoms. Our staff have decades of experience working with chronic pain patients.

NUTRITIONAL THERAPY
All of us must eat and drink to survive. However, some pain syndromes can be effected by certain types of food. Chronic headache is particularly associated with chemicals, which are naturally found in some foods. Some patients suffer with obesity, and still others with malnutrition. Obesity can adversely effect a back pain patient, for example. In order to help the patient improve, the obesity must be treated.