The Pain Clinic uses a variety of interventions to treat and manage pain. Some of the most common techniques are outlined below.

Lumbar epidural injections

Injections of corticosteroids to control pain is often used for conditions such as herniated discs and spinal stenosis. The injection can take several days to have an anti-inflammatory effect and can last anywhere from several weeks to three to four months. The use of steroids can give your body time to heal and also allows a patient to begin physical therapy, which can speed recovery. In many cases, a single injection is all that is needed, however, in some patients, the pain may return after the injection wears off.

Trigger point injection

This procedure is considered less invasive than an epidural because the injection is made into the soft tissue and muscle rather than the spine. In addition, rather than steroids, a very dilute and long-lasting dose of anesthesia is injected to relieve muscle pain or spasms. Pain relief can last several days to several months.

Medications

Medication management may include over-the-counter medications, stronger pain relievers such as opioids or a combination of these to target various receptor sites. For example, a patient may need medications to attack nerve pain, to relax muscles, to reduce inflammation and /or to ……..(I believe there was one more)  Medications are often prescribed in combination with physical therapy and exercise, notes Dr. Criscuolo.

Nerve blocks

This technique is effective at treating severe pain in the extremities usually associated with the nerves and provides both a diagnostic and therapeutic function. An injection of local anesthesia is injected near a peripheral nerve to help diagnose and treat painful areas of the extremities.

Accupuncture

Accupuncture has proven effective in helping relieve all types of pain and can be used alone or in conjunction with other therapies. Dr. Criscuolo, one of the longest practicing accupuncturists in the state, says up to 50 percent of patients will respond positively to accupuncture. He has used the therapy to successfully relieve pain due to headaches, sports injuries, fibromyalgia and back and neck injuries.