Chronic Pain Management

What is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is pain that persists beyond the normal healing time, often lasting for months or even years. Unlike acute pain, which serves as a warning of injury or disease, chronic pain can occur without any apparent cause and may affect daily life significantly. Read more from the Cleveland Clinic about chronic pain. The goal of chronic pain management is to address all factors that influence your chronic pain and develop an individualized plan to help address your specific needs and lifestyle.

Common Causes of Chronic Pain:

  • Arthritis: Inflammation or degenerative changes of the joints that causes pain and stiffness.
  • Back Pain: Including conditions like herniated discs or degenerative disc disease.
  • Fibromyalgia: A condition characterized by widespread muscle pain and fatigue.
  • Nerve Pain: Often resulting from conditions such as sciatica and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Symptoms to Watch For:

  • Persistent pain that doesn’t seem to improve with standard treatment.
  • Pain that affects your ability to perform daily activities.
  • Associated symptoms like fatigue, sleep disturbances, or mood changes.

Comprehensive Treatment Options

Medical Treatments:

  • Medications: Tailored to your specific pain, including NSAIDs, antidepressants, anticonvulsants or opioids when appropriate.
  • Injections: Such as epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, or trigger point injections to provide relief.
  • Osteopathic Manipulation: Hands-on treatment where Osteopathic Physicians, or DO’s, use their hands to examine or treat all parts of the body.
  • Massage Therapy: Hands on, non-pharmaceutical, non-invasive treatment for pain.
  • Physical Therapy Orders: Personalized exercise programs to improve mobility and strengthen muscles.

Advanced Therapies:

  • Minimally Invasive Procedures: Such as spinal injections or radiofrequency ablation.
  • Surgical Options: For cases where conservative treatments are ineffective, including spinal surgeries or joint replacements, we coordinate and refer care to appropriate surgeons.

Lifestyle and Home Management:

  • Exercise and Physical Activity: Customized exercise plans to enhance strength and flexibility.
  • Diet and Nutrition: Guidance on how diet can impact inflammation and pain.
  • Stress Management: Techniques like mindfulness, relaxation exercises, and cognitive behavioral therapy to help manage pain.

Personalized Chronic Pain Management Plan

At Idaho Joint and Spine, we believe in a patient-centered approach. Our team will work with you to develop a personalized pain management plan that addresses your specific needs and lifestyle. This may include a combination of medical treatments, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications.

How We Create Your Chronic Pain Management Plan:

  • Initial Consultation: A thorough evaluation to understand your pain history and current condition.
  • Customized Treatment: Tailored to your unique needs, including a mix of therapies and interventions.
  • Ongoing Support: Regular follow-ups to adjust your treatment plan as needed and provide continuous support.