Pain reimagined: rethink effective relief

A remarkable shift has taken place in the field of pain management. Scientists and healthcare providers have come to understand that pain is not solely the result of tissue damage, but instead the result of a complex interplay among physiological, psychological and environmental factors.

This new understanding of the multifaceted nature of pain has challenged many long-held beliefs and spawned an ever-growing body of evidence indicating that the very machinery that processes pain can sustain it or make it worse.

However, medical practice has failed to keep up with the science, reflecting the slow pace of change in the healthcare industry. Traditional medical approaches to pain management still largely focus on highly invasive therapies such as surgical intervention or more conservative methods such as physical therapy, ignoring the range of therapies that fall between the two standards.

Failing to treat the underlying factors that can contribute to pain may limit the results of any treatment approach. Many healthcare providers continue to receive minimal training in advanced pain-management techniques and may be hesitant to adopt new approaches.

The No. 1 problem is a lack of awareness. Education empowers patients. Even though pain is a centuries-old condition, there are breakthrough technologies surfacing every year. We are truly blessed to be able to offer them to Sussex County patients.

One new approach to treating pain is through microdosing medication, a solution available to patients who are tired of using constant oral medication doses to manage their pain. A small, computerized device called an intrathecal pain pump is surgically placed under the skin and delivers medication directly to the spinal cord, providing targeted pain relief. Unlike oral medications, the pump delivers medication directly to the source of the pain with no side effects.

Eliminating the need for oral medications can have a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life. Chiefly, pain coverage is much more widespread and consistent. The potential for abuse is eliminated through usage of the device, reducing the risk of adverse effects. Overall, one of the most important aspects of the intrathecal pain pump is that it can provide a sense of security and peace of mind, knowing that the medication is being taken as it should be.

Candace Roberts, APRN, said, “The next phase of pain management is an exciting one. Effective, targeted, personalized pain management treatments are the way of the future. It's time for patients to take their lives back."

Sussex Pain Relief Center is accepting new patients at its Rehoboth Beach and Georgetown locations. To ensure access for everyone, SPRC accepts Medicare, Medicaid and most commercial carriers as well as self-pay patients.

To request an appointment, call 302-514-7246 or go to link.sussexpain.com/appt.