Pain Management

What is Pain Management?

Because pain affects everyone differently, effective pain management is essential to a successful recovery.  Pain management focuses on diagnosing and managing chronic pain, which often includes neck and back pain. Pain management includes interventional procedures along with medication management and physical therapy.

There are many types of pain, but it generally can be divided into two groups—acute and chronic pain. Acute pain may begin suddenly and is often resolved in a few months. Examples of acute pain are broken bones, soft tissue injury, surgical pain, or burns and cuts. Chronic pain is longer lasting and persistent, which makes it harder to treat. Examples of chronic pain include degenerative disc disease, arthritis, and trauma injuries. Both types of pain can be effective managed through a variety of treatments, some of which include ultrasound guided injections, medication, spinal cord stimulation, and physical therapy.

Pain management involves accurately diagnosing the cause of the pain and then determining a plan of action. The first approach is conservative and includes home exercise, medication or physical therapy to alleviate pain. If that is not effective, pain management may then entail arthroscopic procedures or surgery.

When unchecked pain interferes with life activities or work, and no other solution gives relief, it’s time to turn to ask for expert medical help. Patients who have attempted to manage their own pain through over the counter medications, exercise, and other attempts at relief but who still have pain, should seek additional treatment from experienced professionals who understand how to identify the source of the pain and arrive at the most successful treatment.

At Ponchartrain Orthopedic & Sports Medicine, our physicians specialize in musculoskeletal systems care and pain management. Our approach is to offer a wide range of pain management with the most current treatment options available. Your relief from pain and restoration to an active healthy lifestyle is our goal.