No one should have to live in pain.
Finding and understanding the cause of pain is most important. All pain is real. In that very real sense, all pain, no matter where it begins, ends in the brain. For this reason, a person's perception of pain, how much it hurts, is influenced by many factors. Fatigue, depression, sleep deprivation and anxiety all make pain more painful. For this reason, pain relief is never a matter of taking enough narcotics for relief. Pain can often be significantly reduced by addressing the other factors outlined above.
Pain control should always be first attempted by non-narcotic measures such as anti-inflammatory meds, acetaminophen, physical agents and topical analgesic creams.
· When narcotics are to be used, they should be used for limited periods of time and in the least potent effective form.
· If pain becomes chronic(occuring every day for at least 2 weeks), the source of pain should be thoroughly re-evaluated. After I have completed my work-up, I will refer you to the specialist most closely involved in the source of pain, i.e., patients with headaches or peripheral neuropathy would see a neurologist, back pain-orthopedics, neurosurgery or physical medicine, etc. This important evaluation helps prevent overlooking potentially curable or treatable conditions.
· If pain requires chronic narcotic management, I refer patients to a qualified pain specialist. I do not personally provide long term pain management. I rely on the qualification of a pain specialist or the discretion of the orthopedist( back or joint pain) or neurologist(headaches and peripheral neuropathy) to provide long term treatment.