Getting to the root cause of your pain

Getting to the source of pain is the key to create an effective pain management plan that can offer lasting relief to chronic pain sufferers. Joint pain is one of the most common pain complaints. Chronic joint pain can be caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, bursitis, sprains, strains or other injuries. Highly skilled pain management specialists can help you obtain relief using minimally invasive treatments.

Treatment for chronic pain can vary depending upon the root cause of pain. It can include one or more of the following treatments.

Medication Management

Medications, such as muscle relaxants and antidepressants, may be prescribed if over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications don't help. Such drugs reduce pain by interrupting pain signals. Closely monitored opioid medication may also be prescribed in some cases.

Steroid Injections

Steroid injections can help in cases of pain due to tendinitis, arthritis or joint disease. A mixture of an anesthetic and steroid medication may be injected directly into the aching joint to reduce inflammation, swelling and pain. The injections may have to be repeated for lasting pain relief.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy and exercises can help to improve range of motion and also help to bring stability to the joint. Strengthening exercises can help the muscles that support your joint, thereby improving function and motion.

Nerve Blocks

Nerve blocks help to interrupt pain signals from pain causing nerves to the brain. A numbing substance is injected into the painful nerve. Nerve blocks can provide pain relief for a few hours to a few months.

Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation is used to block pain signals from the spine to the brain. A device generating electrical impulses is implanted under your skin to create a mild electrical current that blocks nerve impulses. Extremity and back pain that doesn’t respond to other treatments can be effectively managed with spinal cord stimulator implants.

Radiofrequency Ablation

During this minimally-invasive procedure, radio waves are used to heat a part of the pain causing nerve. This disrupts the pain signals from the nerve, providing pain relief. Radiofrequency Ablation is used to treat painful facet joints in the neck and lower back.

If you have any questions about interventional pain management, call the top pain management doctos in Chandler and Gilbert, AZ at Desert Interventional Spine Consultants at 480-838-1914. DISC is committed to providing the highest quality spine care with cutting edge interventional pain treatments and precise diagnostic tests.