Pain Management
Pain management is a critical aspect of healthcare that focuses on alleviating pain and improving the quality of life for individuals living with chronic pain. It encompasses a wide range of treatment options, including medication, physical therapy and lifestyle changes.
When to Seek Pain Management Treatment
Chronic and acute pain can significantly impact daily life, making it difficult to work, sleep and participate in normal activities. Pain management may be appropriate if you are experiencing ongoing discomfort related to conditions such as back pain, neck pain, joint pain, nerve pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia or sports-related injuries.
Pain can arise from a wide range of causes, including injuries, illness or chronic medical conditions. A comprehensive pain management approach focuses on identifying the underlying source of pain and developing individualized treatment strategies to improve function and quality of life.
Evaluation may include a detailed physical exam, imaging studies such as X-rays or MRIs and additional diagnostic testing to better understand the cause of symptoms.
Meet Your Pain Management Provider
Mina Salib, MD
Dr. Mina Salib is a Pain Management physician at Scheurer Specialty Care - North Wing specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic pain conditions. With advanced fellowship training in Pain Management, he provides personalized care for patients experiencing back pain, neck pain, joint pain, nerve pain and other chronic pain disorders.
Dr. Salib is currently accepting new patients. A physician referral is required to schedule an appointment.
Watch Dr. Mina Salib's video on his approach to Pain Management by clicking the play button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Acute pain is usually short-term and often has a clear cause, like an injury or surgery. It typically goes away once the underlying cause has healed. Chronic pain, on the other hand, lasts for a longer period of time, often six months or more, and can persist even after the initial injury or illness has healed. It can be more complex and involve changes in the nervous system.
Pain is often diagnosed based on a patient's description and through physical exams. Imaging tests like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans can help identify specific causes of pain, while nerve conduction studies and electromyography (EMG) can assess nerve damage or dysfunction.
Common causes of chronic pain include conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, nerve damage (neuropathic pain) and back problems. In some cases, there might not be a clear cause, which can make diagnosis and treatment more challenging.
Lifestyle changes that can help manage chronic pain include maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, practicing stress-reduction techniques (like mindfulness or meditation) and getting enough sleep.
The best treatment options depend on the cause of the pain and the individual's specific needs. Treatment may include physical therapy, lifestyle changes, interventional procedures (like nerve blocks or epidural injections) and in some cases, surgery.
- Epidural Steroid Injections: These injections deliver anti-inflammatory medication (steroid) directly into the epidural space around the spinal cord to reduce inflammation and relieve pain caused by nerve compression.
- Nerve Blocks: These injections deliver a local anesthetic and steroid to block specific nerves that are causing pain.
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): This procedure uses heat to destroy the nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals from a specific area of the body.
- Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS): This procedure involves implanting a small device near the spinal cord to deliver electrical impulses that interfere with pain signals, providing pain relief.
- Regenerative Medicine Injections: These injections use substances such as stem cells, growth factors, or amniotic fluid to promote tissue repair and reduce pain.