Pain Consultants use a biopsychosocial model for evaluating & managing patients’ long-term pain. On your first appointment they will conduct a: “thorough comprehensive evaluation to determine your underlying pain pathology, other medical & mental health problems, previously trialled treatment strategies, & psychosocial treatment barriers. They will then structure a personalised multimodal treatment plan based on this evaluation” [1]
Did You Know?
It has been estimated that up to 50% of adults in the UK suffer from long-term pain [1]. – To that end, the smart solution is to get an accurate diagnosis and cutting-edge customised treatment plan from an experienced Pain Doctor.
Putting a Spotlight on Popular Non-Opioid Options
Number 1: Medication
Multiple classes of non-opioid pharmaceuticals are regularly prescribed by Pain Specialists in order to treat a patient’s pain. These medications include: NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), steroids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, acetaminophen, and topical medication [1].
Number 2: Joint Injections
This in-demand procedure involves the Pain Doctor injecting corticosteroids into the patient’s joint/s in order to reduce any inflammation-linked pain. In order to ensure accurate delivery in the precise region/s, the Pain Specialist uses special image guidance technology [1].
Number 3: Peripheral Nerve Blocks
These types of nerve blocks are employed as both therapeutic and diagnostic agents for long-term pain management [1].
Number 4: Trigger Point Injections
This type of treatment involves the Pain Doctor administering a local anaesthetic intramuscular injection (which may or may not include steroids). Trigger point injections are often used to help patients with myofascial pain syndrome [1].
Number 5: Epidural Steroid Injections
This well known form of injection is used for patients with for spine-based pain. By injecting steroids in the epidural space, the Pain Specialist is able to reduce local inflammation [1].
Number 6: Radiofrequency Ablations
This procedure of de-nervation (destroying a nerve), involves nerve thermocoagulation (the use of heat generated by a high-frequency electric current to destroy localised tissue) [1].
Number 7: Sympathetic Nerve Blocks
This method of treatment is regularly employed by a Pain Specialist for the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome [1].
Number 8: Spinal Cord Stimulation
This option pertains to the Pain Doctor placing electrodes in the patient’s spine in order to stimulate the dorsal element of the spinal cord. The electrodes are attached to an external pulse generator, or an implanted pulse generator [1].
Reference
[1]. Dey, S & Vrooman, B. M. (2022). “Alternatives To Opioids For Managing Pain.” NIH.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK574543/
