Premier Pain Center
Treatments
Our Approach
All available treatment options are thoroughly and carefully reviewed with each patient. Treatment plans may be adjusted to maximize benefits as the patient progresses during treatment. Dr. Parr and his staff of professionals will carefully develop an individualized plan for each patient.
The First Step
During the initial visit, the patient is evaluated to determine the source of pain. To begin, our trained medical team will listen to the patient’s history and perform a physical exam. Imaging such as x-rays, CT scans and MRI’s may need to be provided to assist in identifying the pain source.
Treatment Methods
- Nerve Block procedures using local anesthetics and steroids
- Cervical, Thoracic, and Lumbar epidural steroid injections
- Cervical, Thoracic, and Lumbar medial branch blocks
- Sacroiliac joint injections
- Selective nerve root injections
- Transforaminal epidural nerve root injections
- Neurologic blocks
- Inclusion of Special Treatments such as Neurosurgery, Orthopedics or Dental Procedures
- Admission to rehabilitation program to assist in relearning work skills; learning to work in ways that cause less pain
- Behavioral or cognitive therapies which help relieve stress and anxiety
- Counseling for patient and family to help cope with the effects of chronic pain
- Carefully monitored pharmaceutical (drug) therapy, emphasizing non-narcotic treatment
Treatment Options
Interventional pain management allows Dr. Parr to deliver medication directly to the site where the pain originates. This is accomplished through injection therapy. Patients are mildly sedated during the injection to avoid trauma and stress. The injection blocks or intervenes between the pain site and the brain and can significantly reduce or eliminate the sensation of pain for the patient.
The use of medications can also help to decrease pain. We use many types that relieve pain such as anti-depressants, anti-seizure, anti-psychotic and non-steroidal medications. However, the use of opiate analgesics or narcotics is not the answer to the treatment of chronic pain. They can be addicting and can decrease the patient’s ability to cope with pain. One of the best ways to treat chronic pain can be to decrease the need for narcotic pain medication.
Specialty Procedures
For patients who are considered to be appropriate candidates, these highly technical interventional treatments are also available at the Northshore Interventional Pain Management Center:
- Spinal Cord Stimulation
- Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
- Kyphoplasty
- Drug Infusion Systems
- Neurosurgical and Permanent Anesthetic Procedures
- Vertebroplasty
- Joint Injections
- Trigeminal Nerve Stimulators
- Greater Occipital Nerve Stimulators
Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block
1.What is a Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block?
This procedure is an injection of a numbing agent through the nostrils (one or both) with a simple applicator. The numbing agent works on the ganglion area to provide pain relief for multiple head and facial pain conditions and is performed as an outpatient procedure.The procedure entails low risks and is exceptionally well tolerated by patients.
2.What exactly is the sphenopalatine ganglion?
The definition of a ganglion is a “mass of nerves” and in the case of the sphenopalatine ganglion, represents a nerve bundle that reaches out to the lacrimal gland, paranasal sinuses, palate, and throughout the upper pharynx and nasal cavity. The location of the ganglion is in a bony cavity called the pterygopalatine fossa, which is deep in the midface and behind the nasal cavity.
Because of such a broad reach that the nerves from the SPG expand to, the ganglion plays a role in causing pain associated with acute and cluster headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, TMJ, RSD, and facial pain.
3.What are the risks of an SPG block?
The risks of sphenopalatine ganglion nerve blocks are very low. With the topical procedure, patients may sustain a bitter taste in the mouth from dripping of the numbing agent down the oropharynx.
Injections maintain a slight risk of infection, along with a slight risk of a nose bleed or temporary lightheadedness.
4. Patient discharge Instructions:
After the 8 minute absorption duration, The patient was discharged with instructions to:
- Avoid strenuous activity for 24 hours
- Aggressively hydrate with oral fluids
- Patient was instructed to contact physician office in the event the migraine condition symptoms are aggravated and reappear.
- Maintain pre-operative caffeine consumption patterns for at least one week.
Scheduled a patient follow up appointment in 6 weeks, unless headache or facial pain symptoms return prior to that time frame.
Treatment Methods
Our Physicians are experts in the following procedures, and many more.
Nerve Block Procedures
Using Local Anesthetics and Steroids
Cervical and Epidural Steroid Injections
Sacroiliac Joint Injections
Selective Nerve Root Injections
Transforaminal epidural nerve root injection
Spinal Cord Stimulation
Discography
Joint Injections
Kyphoplasty
relieve pain from spinal fractures
Migraine Management
Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
Coordination with Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists
To maximize recovery and functional ability
Inclusion of Special Treatment such as Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, or Dental procedures
Selective use of Complementary Medicine Techniques
Such as Biofeedback and Acupuncture
Behavioral or cognitive therapies
Help to relieve stress and anxiety
Carefully monitored pharmaceutical (drug) therapy
Emphasizing non-narcotic treatment
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