Mercy Medical Group’s pain management team serves its patients with a multimodal approach, using a combination of medications, injections, procedures, therapies and counseling in the treatment and management of chronic pain.
Interventional Pain Management
Interventional therapies address pain by attempting to interrupt the flow of pain signals along specific nervous system pathways. They include injection therapies, nerve blocks and nerve ablation, neuro stimulation and other cutting-edge minimally-invasive procedures to reduce pain and improve quality of life. Most procedures can be done in the office, take less than 20 minutes to complete, and may provide immediate relief from pain.
Medications
There are a variety of medications our physicians employ to treat pain. Anti-inflammatories work where pain is being generated. Muscle relaxants decrease painful muscle tension. Other medications can help to stabilize painful nerves. Patches and creams can be placed on the skin over painful areas, in addition to drugs that help decrease sensitivity to pain.
Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation uses radiofrequency energy to very selectively destroy pain fibers for arthritic pain causing headaches, neck pain, low back pain and knee pain.
Neuromodulation/Spinal Stimulation
Through neuromodulation, our specialists can individually stimulate nerves for very specific pain (e.g. foot, knee, hip or groin/pelvis), or can stimulate the spinal cord covering large area of pain (e.g. low back and leg pain).
Group Visits
The group setting is ideal to providing psychoeducation, support and skills needed to optimize adjustment to chronic pain and facilitate improved functioning in home, school, job or social settings.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback teaches patients to recognize physical body states and gain control over the entire experience of pain. Electromyographic feedback helps patients recognize when muscles are contracted or relaxed. Paired with visual imagery or relaxation skills, this can help patients reeducate muscles to relax instead of guarding against pain.
Take the Next Step
If you’re suffering in pain, talk to your primary care doctor for a referral to one of Mercy Medical Group’s pain management specialists. Or call
(916) 379-2888 to schedule an appointment.
