Pain Management
Virginia Spine Institute's Dr. Thomas Nguyen was recently recognized among the Top 70 Pain Management Physicians in America!
Chronic pain can disrupt an individual’s quality of life by interfering with sleep, ability to work and the ability to enjoy relationships. Patients who suffer from chronic pain can benefit from a comprehensive approach. Pain management does not always mean narcotic medicine, but rather is a broad category consisting of several modalities. It is important to note that not all chronic pain can be eliminated, but rather the goal is to allow comfort and restore function.
Several medications are used in pain management including anti-inflammatories, nerve stabilizing agents, muscle relaxants, anti-depressants, and opioids. In addition to pharmacological therapies, other modalities are effective. These include physical therapy, massages, osteopathic manipulation, and acupuncture.
Several procedures are available as well that can minimize pain, including steroid injections, Platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections, prolotherapy, and botox injections. Other procedures include spinal cord stimulator and intrathecal pain pumps.
It is best to discuss these options with your pain management physician. Each patient is unique and a comprehensive approach for each individual should be formulated for most successful results.
