19.6 MILLION ADULTS EXPERIENCE HIGH-IMPACT CHRONIC PAIN DAILY, HAMPERING THEIR LIFE AND WORK.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 50 million adults in the United States experience chronic pain. Pain is a complex condition. Because it is highly subjective, pain treatment has to be a patient-centric, multi-modal course of action.
At Advanced Pain Care, we understand the complexity of chronic pain, empowering lives with advanced pain management in Austin. With a patient-centric approach, our expert team offers multi-specialty care planned as per your health conditions. From medications to surgical and non-surgical treatment of pain, trust us to guide you toward a pain-free tomorrow.
Our Pain Management And Treatment Specialists: How Do They Treat Pain?
Pain management and pain treatment doctors are physicians who can evaluate, diagnose, and treat different kinds of pain (acute, chronic, high-impact chronic, etc.). From constant headaches to chronic cancer pain to sports-related pain, pain management and treatment specialists are trained to treat a wide range of pain conditions. They are highly trained medical doctors in Integrated Pain Management, Rheumatology, Anesthesiology, and Behavioral Health.
Discover relief at our center with pain treatment specialists offering a comprehensive approach to pain management. From acute injuries to chronic conditions, our expert medical doctors in Integrated Pain Management, Rheumatology, Anesthesiology, and Behavioral Health provide personalized care. With a 360-degree approach, we offer diverse pain treatment beyond medications.
Pain treated by a pain care specialist is divided into three primary groups:
- Pain as a result of direct tissue or joint injury (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, car accidents, sports injuries)
- Pain as a result of injury or infection to the nervous system (stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and neuropathy)
- Pain is a result of a mix of both.
Depending on the severity, location, cause, and duration, there are different categories of pain. To assist in accurate diagnosis and treatment, they can be classified as:
- Acute pain — sudden pain which lasts for a short duration. Specific traumatic events or injuries could cause it.
- Chronic pain — starts as acute pain but persists for longer, even after the underlying cause no longer exists. This could be due to arthritis, back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, diabetes, etc.
- Bone pain — is associated with any condition or injury that affects the functionality or structure of the bones. This could be in the form of cancer, fractures, sickle cell anemia, osteoporosis, etc.
- Nerve pain — is caused by nerve inflammation or damage. It can be caused by a multitude of reasons: cancer, injury to the brain, injury to the spinal cord, stroke, alcoholism, etc. A strategized nerve pain treatment aims at managing and treating these underlying causes, offering targeted relief through specialized interventions, medication, and rehabilitative strategies.
- Breakthrough pain — is a pain flare that can occur during or between periods of pain treatment.
- Phantom pain — is a pain sensation that originates in the nerve endings of amputated parts of the body and the spinal cord and brain.
- Soft tissue pain — is a result of damage to ligaments, tendons, and muscles in conditions such as rotator cuff injury, fibromyalgia, bursitis, sciatica pain, etc.
- Referred pain — originates from a part of the body, not near the actual damage or injury. For example, during a heart attack, pain can be experienced in the back, neck, left shoulders, and arms.
Identifying the type and severity of pain helps in accurate diagnosis, which aids in the identification of the right course of pain treatment by a pain management specialist.
Types of Pain Management And Its Treatment
Over the past two decades, the first line of treatment, especially for chronic pain, has remained powerful prescription medications. In 2016, after years of recorded painkiller addiction, the CDC amended its guidelines for the treatment and management of pain.
A newer, multi-modal approach replaced the previous treatment methodology. This approach integrates the use of medications, surgical and non-surgical interventions, and the facilitation of psychological support.
The multi-modal/multispecialty approach to pain management and pain treatment at Advanced Pain Care includes the following:
Pharmacological Interventions Or Medications
Pharmacological interventions are at the foundation of pain treatment. Depending on the intensity of the pain and the severity of the symptoms of the specific condition, pain medications can be categorized as:
Prescription drugs
- COX-2 inhibitors (also categorized as NSAIDs) such as Celecoxib are prescribed usually after surgery or to treat cancer pain.
- Prescription corticosteroids such as Prednisone are used to enable pain relief in case of inflammation and redness and can be recommended for hip pain treatment.
- Narcotic analgesics are prescribed for short-term, acute pain, such as post-surgery pain.
- Analgesic adjuvants are prescription drugs made for other conditions but are also effective in treating chronic pain. They can be in the form of antidepressants or anticonvulsants. Low doses of antidepressants (Prozac, Doxepin, etc.) are used to treat chronic pain such as migraines.
- Anticonvulsants or anti-seizure drugs such as Neurontin are also prescribed in low doses to control pain.
- Topical pain relievers such as lidocaine patches are prescription strength.
Non-prescription pain relievers or analgesics
- Over-the-counter non-prescription analgesics such as Aspirin or Acetaminophen (Paracetamol or Tylenol) can relieve muscle pain and stiffness and reduce any fever caused by the pain.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen also reduce inflammation.
- Topical pain relievers such as creams, lotions, and gels can be applied to the skin to relieve pain (Diclofenac gel, BenGay, etc.).
Non-surgical Interventions
At times, pharmacological interventions with medicines may not provide the level of pain relief sought by a patient. The pain care specialists at Advanced Pain Care may recommend minimally invasive techniques to help reduce and manage chronic pain. They could include
Injections
- Trigger point injections — Trigger point injections or TPIs are given directly at the point of pain. The injection may comprise anesthetics or corticosteroids in varying combinations. The effects of trigger point injections are known to last from weeks to months, depending on the severity of the condition.
- Viscosupplementation — Viscosupplementation is a procedure in which lubricating fluid is injected into the body’s joints. This is predominantly used to relieve arthritis pain. This treatment is done along with a prescribed course of pain medications.
- Epidural steroid injections — Epidural steroid injections are a mix of anesthetics and steroids, prescribed for sciatica pain, back pain, and neck pain treatment. The medication is injected into the epidural space around the spinal cord to numb the pain signals and reduce the inflammation.
- Nerve block injections — Nerve block injections deliver an anesthetic near the specific nerves before they transmit the pain signals from reaching the brain. These injections treat nerve inflammation and can also be used to locate the actual source of the pain.
- Precision nerve injections — Precision nerve injections are administered to reduce the pain caused by pinched nerves or inflamed facet joints. These injections numb the medial branch nerves and help the physician isolate the location of the pain. The effect of this treatment can last up to several years. These injections are administered with the guidance of an X-ray to make the delivery as precise as possible.
Minimally-Invasive Interventions
The pain care specialists at Advanced Pain Care administer different minimally invasive procedures to help reduce and manage the pain. These include:
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulators — Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulators (TENS) deliver electrical current at a low voltage through electrodes placed in the region of pain. This treatment has been known to give pain relief in cases of diabetic neuropathy.
- Radiofrequency ablation — Radiofrequency ablation or RFA is a minimally invasive treatment option used widely to treat cancer pain, RFA. It is also called fulguration. In this procedure, the dysfunctional tissues and nerves are ablated by radiofrequency energy to inactivate pain pathways.
- Bioelectric therapy — Bioelectric therapy blocks pain signals from reaching the brain and releases endorphins into the system to eliminate the painful sensations. This is used to relieve chronic and acute pain conditions (back and muscle pain, diabetic neuropathy, scleroderma, etc.)
Surgical Interventions
In some pain conditions, oral delivery of drugs or minimally invasive, non-surgical interventions may still not help relieve pain. In these cases, the pain care specialists at Advanced Pain Care recommend the efficacy of implanted devices. They can be for drug delivery directly into the spinal cord or to block pain signals from reaching the brain. They are as follows:
- Spinal cord stimulator — Implanted devices such as a spinal cord stimulator are used to relieve the pain signals communicated through the spinal cord. In this procedure, a spinal cord stimulator is surgically implanted under the skin. This helps to modify or block the pain signals from reaching the brain. The patient remains in control of the device and can turn it on or off without removing the implant.
- Intrathecal pumps — Intrathecal drug delivery can be done in the form of pain pumps or spinal drug delivery systems. These drug delivery systems can deliver medicines directly to the spinal cord. This system is considered very effective, as it uses fewer drugs to treat the pain than in the administration of drugs in the traditional/oral manner.
Psychological Support
Advanced Pain Care offers its patients a Behavioral Health program that involves a clinical evaluation to determine if the cause of the pain is due to depression, anxiety, or fear. In such cases, the pain care specialists also include an integrated approach to treatment along with medications and/or surgical interventions. These comprise different psychological and physical therapies and typically include:
- A psychological approach such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for fibromyalgia and lower back pain treatment is greatly helpful.
- Mind-body techniques such as meditation, relaxation techniques, hypnosis, biofeedback, and mindfulness-based stress reduction help reduce the discomfort associated with chronic pain.
- Physical therapy techniques such as stretching and strengthening of the body, along with pain-relieving techniques.
Depending on the severity and cause of the pain, pain management and treatment specialists at Advanced Pain Care in Austin generally approach the treatment as follows:
- Acute pain — Usually treated mainly with OTC or prescription pain medication, non-opioids, or other treatment options such as bioelectric therapy.
- Chronic pain — Usually treated with weak to strong pain medication and/or muscle relaxants. Treatment options will also include procedures such as viscosupplementation, nerve injections, TENS, radiofrequency ablation, as well as implantation of spinal stimulators.
- Breakthrough pain — Usually treated with strong, fast-acting prescription pain medication, as well as holistic treatment options are used.
- Bone pain — Usually treated with OTC pain relievers, bisphosphonates, and in some cases, surgery is considered the best option.
- Nerve pain — Mild to moderate pain can usually be treated with nerve blockers.
- Phantom pain — Usually treated with prescription medications or alternative therapies. In some cases, a non-invasive brain stimulation therapy called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may also be advised.
- Soft tissue pain — Usually treated with OTC pain relievers and physical therapy.
- Referred pain — Apart from OTC pain relievers to relieve the immediate pain sensations, TENS are recommended.
Patient Testimonial
“After being in pain for well over years and seeing various “pain specialists’ ‘ including one that had me using Fantanal pat aches. I told the doctors at ABC if they told me to put my finger on my nose and jump 10 times every hour I’d have done it. Anything to help give me back at least the will to keep going I’d done. Instead, I was put on hydrocodone and then had a spinal cord stimulator put in. I’ve easily gone from 5 tablets a day to 3, not to say there aren’t days that are still bad, but certainly many fewer than before I found APC. My many thanks to the doctors as well as the nurse practitioner I see monthly now“
— Brandandtoni None
Advanced Pain Care Clinic in Austin Will Help You to Live Pain-Free
If you’re seeking a leading “pain treatment clinic near me,” Advanced Pain Care is here for you. Renowned as a premier acute and chronic pain treatment center, we adopt a comprehensive, multimodal, and integrated approach, utilizing various techniques and therapies for effectively managing pain. Call us at 512-244-4272 for more information on how we can assist with your pain condition.
Helping Hands
FAQS
Q: What drugs are used for pain management?
A: Some of the common drugs that are a part of pain medicine include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), narcotic medication, antidepressants, anti-seizure meds, muscle relaxers, and steroids. These are generally a component of a treatment plan to manage pain. At Advanced Pain Care, Austin, we adopt a collaborative care approach, working closely with you to understand your unique pain profile and accordingly recommend and/or formulate medicines.
Q: What is the best treatment for chronic pain?
A: Chronic pain is treated through a comprehensive approach, combining medications like acetaminophen and NSAIDs, anticonvulsants, and prescription pain drugs. Pain treatment specialists may also employ various therapies such as trigger point injections, intrathecal pumps, radiofrequency ablation, epidural nerve injections, precision nerve injections, TENS, bioelectrical therapy, and spinal cord stimulators for effective pain management.
Our pain management and treatment doctors use medications, minimally invasive interventions as well as different therapies depending on the cause, severity, and location to treat the pain.
Q: What does Advanced Pain Care Center do for your pain management?
A: Advanced Pain Care is a multidisciplinary clinic offering a 360-degree approach to pain management. Pain categories treated include acute, chronic, breakthrough, bone, nerve, nerve damage, phantom, soft tissue, and referred pain. Our specialists also plan treatments beyond medications, utilizing interventions such as spinal stimulation for nerve damage.
Q: How does exercise contribute to pain management?
A: Regular exercise is a powerful way to manage pain. It helps improve circulation, strengthens muscles, and releases endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. By enhancing flexibility and reducing stiffness, our doctors recommend exercises that promote overall well-being, making it an essential component of your holistic pain management strategy.
Q: How can you communicate effectively with your healthcare provider about pain?
A: Open communication is key. Be specific about your pain, describing its location, intensity, and any factors that aggravate or alleviate it. Keep a pain journal to track patterns. You should freely discuss your treatment preferences and concerns with our specialists. This will help us also have a comprehensive understanding of planning personalized and effective pain management plans.
Q: What role does mental health play in pain management?
A: Mental health is integral to pain management. Emotional well-being influences pain perception and coping mechanisms. Stress, anxiety, and depression can worsen pain, while a positive mindset and relaxation techniques can provide relief. We promote better overall outcomes for our patients by integrating mental health strategies, such as mindfulness and counseling, into pain management plans.