Pain Management Q & A

What is pain management?

Pain management is a medical discipline for diagnosing and treating pain or discomfort. Simple pain management focuses on treating simple cases of pain that can be alleviated with short-term treatment, while complex pain management is reserved for cases of chronic pain that need ongoing care. Foothill Pain Management provides both types of pain management.

Effective pain management results in many benefits that go beyond a reduction in pain, including:

• Better sleep
• Better mobility
• Less emotional distress
• Less stress
• Fewer days of missed work

At Foothill Pain Management, your provider creates an individualized treatment plan for your specific type of pain that aligns with your goals and preferences.

When should I consider pain management?

You should consider seeking pain management if you have pain from an injury or condition severe or prolonged enough to greatly affect your life. Pain treatable with pain management can be split into the following two categories:

Nociceptive pain

Nociceptive pain comes from specific injuries or forms of tissue damage. Examples include broken bones and muscle strains.

Neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain comes directly from damage or disease directly affecting your nerves and has no specific area of origin. Examples include fibromyalgia and complex regional pain syndrome.

The pain-management specialists at Foothill Pain Management have significant experience treating and alleviating both types of pain with noninvasive and minimally invasive therapies.

Which pain-management treatments are available?

Foothill Pain Management offers some of the most advanced diagnostic techniques and pain-management procedures available today. Your provider discusses your options while planning your treatment and chooses the best strategies for your specific type of pain. Available treatments include:

• Epidural steroid injections
• Facet joint injections
• Stellate ganglion blocks
• Lumbar sympathetic blocks
• Nerve root blocks
• Spinal cord stimulation
• Percutaneous discectomy

Alongside treatments like these, your provider might recommend home care, physical therapy, certain medications, and other conservative treatments and strategies. You should also attend follow-up appointments to discuss ongoing treatment if you need it or adjust your treatment plan when it isn’t working well.

To start your pain management plan for neck pain, back pain, widespread nerve pain, or any other type, call Foothill Pain Management or book an appointment online today.