How Interventional Pain Management Can Help You Get Back to Doing What You Love Most

While traditional pain management is effective in treating some patients’ pain, sometimes over-the-counter medication or prescription medication is not enough to adequately alleviate the pain. Interventional pain management is often an excellent alternative. Interventional pain management involves minimally invasive treatment options to relieve acute or chronic pain. These treatments work by interrupting pain signals between nerve endings and the brain.

What is Interventional Pain Management?

Jaffe Sports Medicine utilizes a myriad of interventional pain management techniques to treat the root cause of pain. Common treatments include epidural injections used to treat pain by reducing inflammation around nerve roots. These injections treat a variety of conditions affecting the spine, back, neck and upper and lower extremities. Another common treatment is radiofrequency ablation application (RFA) which uses heat to destroy a small volume of nerve tissue, eliminating pain signals to the brain. Additionally, joint injections which involve corticosteroid injections can be applied to damaged tissues which are designed to increase mobility while relieving joint pain.

“Whether a patient is struggling with chronic low back or a recent injury,” said Dr. Chaturani Ranasinghe of Jaffe Sports Medicine, “interventional pain management can reduce their pain quickly and often without the use of daily pain medication. It is our desire to improve a patient’s quality of life so they can get back to doing what they love most.”

What are the Benefits of Interventional Pain Management?

For patients who struggle with acute or chronic pain, interventional pain management is an ideal solution that often reduces a patient’s pain by as much as 70%. A common benefit of interventional pain management is immediate relief from pain that can last for an extended period of time. For example, an epidural injection can provide pain relief almost instantly and that relief can last for up to several months. Often these injections are given in a series over time, to provide long-lasting relief.

Targeted treatment is another benefit of interventional pain management. This approach targets the pain at its source, significantly relieving discomfort. Additionally, patients who receive interventional pain treatments are less likely to become addicted to or experience issues related to opioids. Finally, interventional pain management treatments are minimally or non-invasive, meaning they are not high-risk, and they relieve pain in little to no time. The comprehensive team of pain specialists at Jaffe Sports Medicine uses the latest techniques to give patients the best possible outcomes. We believe that when it comes to treating pain, surgery should be the last resort.

Who is Interventional Pain Management for?

Jaffe Sports Medicine believes interventional pain management is an ideal solution for those with acute or chronic pain seeking effective treatment for relief of pain or discomfort. It is also a great option for those who have tried traditional pain management methods with little to no success.

At Jaffe Sports Medicine, we care about treating the root cause of pain so that our patients can live, work and play pain-free. If you are interested in discussing interventional pain management as a treatment option, we would love to hear from you. Please visit https://jaffesportsmedicine.com/conditions/ to schedule an appointment.

 

The Power of Pain Management

The International Association for the Study of Pain reports one in five adults experience chronic pain each day. Persistent chronic pain can interfere with daily life and may lead to depression, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. This cycle of pain is one that is difficult to break. Interventional Pain management specialists are trained to help patients deal with their chronic pain through the use of medications, procedures, exercises or therapies. While many individuals may live with chronic pain, Jaffe Sports Medicine believes in finding individualized long-term solutions that treat the underlying cause of pain so patients can live their best lives possible.

Jaffe Sports Medicine’s approach to treating pain takes the individual into account, assessing each patient’s medical history, diagnosis and symptoms. Pain manifests differently for every patient, therefore, no two solutions look the same. At Jaffe Sports Medicine, we address pain on a case-by-case basis. 

“Pain is not a one size fits all issue and neither is our approach to treating it,” said Dr. Chaturani Ranasinghe. “Our staff is educated on the latest modalities that can be applicable in the treatment of a patient’s pain regardless of the location. We offer a full complement of treatment options that are tailored to best fit the patient’s needs, limitations and lifestyle. Ultimately, we want each patient to live their best lives possible, free of pain and its issues.” 

Rather than covering up symptoms with medication or unnecessary surgery, Jaffe Sports Medicine’s interventional approach treats the root cause of pain. The all-inclusive approach to pain management Jaffe Sports Medicine takes ensures every person is taken care 

of and their needs are addressed. Our providers use a variety of strategies to treat pain including medication, injections, blocks, lifestyle changes and therapies. Each treatment 

plan assesses the individual’s type and cause of pain, while also factoring in the patient’s age and overall health, to determine the best plan of action for each patient.

The well-rounded team of physicians and compassionate staff at Jaffe Sports Medicine use the latest therapeutics and resources to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients. Incorporating healthy lifestyle habits into daily routines when combined with prescribed treatments or therapies such as physical therapy, prescription medication or injections can help reduce chronic pain. 

At Jaffe Sports Medicine finding the source of pain and treating its underlying cause is at the heart of what we do. While some patients may never be pain free, interventional pain management can drastically improve a patient’s quality of life by incorporating the latest treatments, medications and lifestyle changes, encouraging lasting healthy habits. Jaffe Sports Medicine believes patients do not have to experience a lifetime of pain. We deliver comprehensive care to help musculoskeletal and pain management patients live their best lives possible. To schedule an appointment at Jaffe Sports Medicine, visit www.jaffesportsmedicine.com/services/.

Back Pain and Migraines

Chronic headaches are defined as occurring more than 15 days a month. Up to 4% of adults worldwide have this many headaches a month. Studies show no correlation between low back pain and a specific type of headache. Both primary and secondary headaches plague the adult population ranging from tension-type headaches (TTH) to migraines. Primary headaches are independent of health conditions or sickness, while secondary headaches are caused by various conditions such as stress, sleep deprivation, alcohol, fatigue, injury or infection. Below are several common types of headaches:

Tension-type headache
A tension-type headache (TTH) is typically a dull pain or continuous pressure occurring bilaterally or across the forehead. These headaches are often associated with a tightness of the scalp or neck in response to stress or depression. The best method of treatment for a TTH is rest and relaxation. Mild, over-the-counter painkillers may also be used in moderation.

Post-traumatic headache
A post-traumatic headache is often localized to an area inflicted with injury. It can feel like a TTH or a migraine, depending on the severity of the trauma. They may occur daily following an injury and are not quickly treatable. However, rest and anti-inflammatory drugs may be used.

Sinus headache
Sinus headaches are typically caused by viral infections producing pain in the face, sinuses, eyes, ears or forehead. Symptoms can include congestion, itchy, runny nose, fever or facial swelling.

Migraine
A migraine is a throbbing pain in the face or neck, concentrated in one area. Other symptoms may include sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, vomiting and distorted vision. Pain may last anywhere from several hours to several days.

Studies have shown that individuals with headaches are significantly more likely to suffer from low back pain than those without headaches. Individuals are twice as likely to have both headaches and back pain simultaneously. Doctors and researchers speculate a potential biological underpinning between the two. While there is no specific correlation to the type of headache associated with chronic back pain, chronic headaches, whether primary or secondary, are associated with low back pain.

Back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Low back pain affects 80% of adults at least once in their lifetime, while 20% of these individuals develop chronic low back pain.

Several factors put a person at higher risk for low back and headache pain. Females are more susceptible to chronic headaches and therefore are at a higher risk of experiencing the two pains side by side. Additional factors include smoking, obesity and low level of education. While these factors are not necessary for chronic headache and low back pain, they are strongly associated with the two.

While experts are unsure why the two co-occur, they know that a strong correlation exists. Preventative measures and treatments may help to alleviate some of the pain. Recommended treatment for headaches and back pain include:

  • Rest
  • A hot or cold compress on the head, neck, or back
  • Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Maintain good posture
  • Avoid lifting heavy objects
  • Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight
  • Avoid smoking
  • Manage high blood pressure
  • Avoid infections and wash your hands

To learn more about back pain and the resources available to you, visit https://jaffesportsmedicine.com/.