When is it appropriate for me to visit a pain management specialist?People suffering from chronic pain should begin by working with their primary care/family physician regarding their specific pain disorder. If a person’s pain becomes unbearable, the patient’s primary care physician can refer him or her to the Advanced Pain Management Center for a comprehensive evaluation.
Who decides how my pain will be treated?After proper evaluation, you and your health care team will work together to design a pain management plan that meets your specific needs.
What types of treatments are offered for pain management?
Carroll Hospital Center offers inpatient and outpatient services with a variety of medical pain management treatment options including:
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Drug therapy, taken orally, by injection or intravenously
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Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)
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Epidural infusion
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Complementary/non-medicinal therapies including deep breathing, massage, music and positive imagery
In addition, through our Advanced Pain Management Center, we offer an interventional approach to treating chronic pain. These treatment options include:
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Epidural steroid injections
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Nerve block injections
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Radiofrequency ablation
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Disc decompression
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Spinal cord and peripheral nerve stimulators
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Implantable drug delivery systems
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Medication management combining a sensitivity to the patient’s distress with a need to reduce medication dependence
Can I become addicted to pain medication?Addiction is a separate disease and rare when opiods are used in pain management. It is critical to work closely with your physician and discuss any side effects you may experience.
What happens if my pain medication no longer provides relief?With continual reassessment and proper dosing, pain can be managed effectively. Your physician can prescribe a higher dose of medication, another medication or a combination of medications that are more specific to the type of pain you are experiencing. If your pain management therapy is no longer working, your physician may advise other treatment options offered through the Advanced Pain Management Center (see
Treatments Offered question).
Can pain be avoided after surgery?Almost all surgical procedures involve some type of post-operative discomfort. However, a variety of pain management methods are available to keep you as comfortable as possible.
Is it better to deal with pain than with the side effects of certain medications or other interventional treatment options?In most cases, side effects can be treated and adjustments made to the methods of pain management to prevent adverse side effects. For chronic pain sufferers, the varying interventional treatment options offered at the Advanced Pain Management Center are individualized for each patient, and are regularly assessed to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment therapy.