Chronic pain from inflammation, musculoskeletal conditions, medical diseases, and more can make even the most simple of tasks a challenge. Just ask the 40% of American adults who struggle with chronic pain every day.
To help carry out their daily tasks, the majority of people with debilitating pain turn to pain-relieving pills. But at Interventional Pain and Regenerative Medicine Specialists in Northern Virginia, many of our patients complain about the unwanted side effects both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications bring.
The good news is that our pain management specialists, John Huffman, MD, and Talal Ghazal, MD, offer effective pain management options that provide relief from your pain while minimizing or eliminating the need for pain pills.
If you’re tired of living with debilitating pain, take a moment to learn about your options for effective pain relief and how we can help.
A nerve block works by numbing the nerves believed to activate the source of your chronic pain. Your Interventional Pain and Regenerative Medicine Specialists provider carefully injects the treatment into or around the affected nerves, interrupting the pain signals sent to your brain.
Nerve blocks are very effective at treating chronic pain, especially for patients who can’t tolerate the side effects of pain medications or find their pain medicines are no longer effective at providing relief.
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a way to manage back-related pain without the need for pain medications. It works using electrical pulses that block, disrupt, or change targeted nerve signals along your spinal column so they don’t reach your brain. Before placing the SCS device, your provider first conducts a trial to determine if this treatment may be effective for you.
Your body’s natural healing processes work to repair damaged cells and tissues, reduce inflammation, and restore normal body functions. Thanks to advances in medical science, your Interventional Pain and Regenerative Medicine Specialists provider can give your body’s innate healing system a boost using regenerative medicine, such as stem cell therapy or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, to promote healing and improve the natural regeneration process.
For patients with pain related to a chronic spine condition, your provider may recommend intrathecal drug delivery. Your provider implants a small pump below the surface of your skin that houses a customized blend of pain medication. This allows your provider to specify your dosage and automatically deliver it into your spinal fluid, which can mean using less medication while getting better relief.
Cortisone shots or steroid injections work by reducing inflammation and numbing the sensations of pain you experience from your condition. Although they’re typically used as a short-term solution, steroid injections can offer effective relief — especially when used with other treatments, like physical therapy or lifestyle changes.
At Interventional Pain and Regenerative Medicine Specialists, our team helps alleviate the debilitating effects of chronic pain by creating a personalized treatment plan designed to meet your specific needs.
Our providers generally begin with the most conservative options, like ice-and-heat therapy, massage, or physical therapy. Based on your response to these treatments, your provider may recommend additional therapeutic modalities, including the ones listed above.
Contact the Northern Virginia office of Interventional Pain and Regenerative Medicine Specialists to learn more about our pain management options or use our online tool to book an appointment today.
