Chronic Pain Specialist

Athens Spine Center

Interventional Pain Management Specialists located in Athens, GA

Research suggests that about 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from chronic pain. Left unmanaged, chronic pain can prevent you from work, staying physically active, or spending time with the people you love. The team of board-certified interventional pain management specialists at Athens Spine Center in Athens, Georgia, know that chronic pain is debilitating. That’s why they offer a wide range of safe, effective treatments to ease pain and improve their patients’ quality of life. To request your chronic pain consultation, call the office today.

Chronic Pain Q & A

What is chronic pain?

Almost everyone experiences aches and pains from time-to-time. However, if your pain lasts for 12 weeks or longer, it’s considered chronic. Chronic pain affects everyone differently, but it can last for months or even years.

Additionally, chronic pain can occur anywhere throughout your body. For some people, chronic pain is dull and throbbing; for others, it’s sharp and stabbing.

At Athens Spine Center, the team regularly diagnoses and treats chronic pain caused by:

Headaches
Failed surgery
Trauma
Musculoskeletal problems
Cancer
Arthritis
Nerve damage

No matter the type of chronic pain you experience, it’s important to seek medical help. There are a variety of treatments that can limit inflammation and discomfort while improving your overall quality of life.

Who is at risk of experiencing chronic pain?

Chronic pain affects people of all ages and backgrounds, but it’s especially common in older adults. Other factors that increase your risk of chronic pain include:

Being female
Suffering a work or sports-related injury
Being in an automobile accident
Having surgery

You’re also more likely to suffer from chronic pain if you’re overweight or obese.

How is chronic pain diagnosed?

To diagnose chronic pain, your Athens Spine Center provider conducts a physical exam, reviews your medical history, and asks you questions about your symptoms. Next, you stand up, sit down, and walk around the exam room so your doctor can observe your gait and posture. If a preliminary exam doesn’t provide enough information about the source of your discomfort, your doctor might also order laboratory tests, X-rays, or an MRI. Usually, these measures are enough to make a proper diagnosis.

How is chronic pain treated?

Treatment for chronic pain depends on the underlying cause and severity of the pain you experience. Usually, the team at Athens Spine Center recommends conservative, minimally invasive treatments. Depending on your situation, they might suggest:

Spinal cord stimulation
Cortisone shots
Epidural injections
Joint injections
Spinal injections
Facet blocks
Medial branch blocks
Dorsal root ganglion therapy
Trigger point injections
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
Stem cell therapy
Bone marrow transplants

If these measures don’t provide adequate relief, surgical intervention may be necessary. The team regularly performs balloon kyphoplasty and other related procedures.

To learn more about the various treatments for chronic pain, request a consultation at Athens Spine Center by calling the office today.

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