Treatments

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.

• 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

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.

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
• Kyphoplasty
• Drug Infusion Systems
• Neurosurgical and Permanent Anesthetic Procedures
• Vertebroplasty
• Trigeminal Nerve Stimulators
• Greater Occipital Nerve Stimulators