FAQs

What is interventional pain management?

Interventional pain management is the discipline of medicine devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of pain and related disorders with the application of interventional techniques in managing subacute, chronic, persistent, and intractable pain, independently or in conjunction with other modalities of treatments.

What are interventional pain management techniques?

Interventional pain management techniques are minimally invasive procedures including, percutaneous precision needle placement, with placement of drugs in targeted areas or ablation of targeted nerves; and some surgical techniques such as laser or endoscopic diskectomy, intrathecal infusion pumps and spinal cord simulators, for the diagnosis and management of chronic, persistent or intractable pain.

Who are doctors specializing in interventional pain management?

Pain specialists come from various primary specialties with advanced training and expertise. They mainly are anesthesiologists, physical medical rehabilitation specialists and neurologists. However, they may include neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons and interventional radiologists.

What is the difference between acute pain and chronic pain?

Acute pain is pain of a short, limited duration, usually the result of an injury, surgery or medical illness. Acute pain often goes away with the healing process.Chronic pain continues for longer periods of time, sometimes even long time after the healing of the original injury is expected to have occurred. Chronic pain is also associated with frustration, depression and anxiety.Treatments for acute and chronic pain are often quite different.

Can interventional pain management physicians find the cause of my pain?

Pain specialists are not only experts at treating pain but also at helping to diagnose the source of pain. They will conduct a physical examination and review your medical records in addition to analyzing the description of your pain. Sometimes supplemental diagnostic studies are helpful. More importantly, interventional pain physicians recognize the fact that precise cause of back pain is determined in only 15% of the patients based on all x-rays, CT scans, myelograms, MRI's, EMG's, Nerve conduction studies and history and physical examination.With help of modern technology, with precision diagnostic techniques with injection of small doses of local anesthetic (numbing medicine) close to the nerves (pain sources) or other structures under x-ray, we can determine cause of pain in at least 80% of the patient's (vs 15%)..

Are there psychological effects of chronic pain?

Yes, chronic pain may produce feelings of anger, sadness, hopelessness and even despair. In addition, it can alter one's personality, disrupt sleep, interfere with work and relationships and even have a profound effect on other family members.It is normal to have psychological problems with pain.

What types of pain problems can be addressed by pain management?

Problems commonly treated in pain management centers include but not limited to:

• low back pain

• neck pain

• headaches

• cancer pain

• shingles

• sympathetic dystrophy

• nerve problems

• occasionally arthritis

• Are there different types of pain treatment facilities?Some so-called "pain clinics" offer only one type of treatment, such as acupuncture or manipulation, and other treat only a special type of complaint such as headache or back pain. Comprehensive pain management centers, on the other hand, are usually directed by physicians who specialize in pain treatment with a staff of nurses, therapists and medical professionals who are experts in the management of painful disorders. These centers generally offer a variety of treatments, and they treat all types of pain. Terms such as "pain clinic", "pain service", "pain unit" or "pain center" are similar.