Interventional Pain Management: A Comprehensive Approach to Chronic Pain

Relieving pain can be difficult and time-consuming for those suffering from chronic pain. Patients may move back and forth between general practitioners, specialists, and therapists of all kinds in search of solutions to their pain problems.

Interventional pain therapy is a viable alternative for patients who have failed other treatments and maybe the solution chronic pain patients are looking for.

Learn more about this fast-growing medical field. Please read below.

What is Interventional Pain Management?

Interventional pain therapy is “a branch of medicine dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of pain-related disorders.” Interventional Pain Medicine uses a multidisciplinary approach where a team of medical professionals works together to provide a full range of treatments and services for patients with chronic and/or acute pain.

The goal of interventional pain management is to relieve, reduce, or treat pain through minimally invasive techniques specifically designed to diagnose, and treat pain conditions and improve the patient’s overall quality of life. Another goal of interventional pain therapy is to get you back to your normal life faster without the use of drugs.

Types of Interventional Pain Management Treatments

There are many types of interventional pain treatments. Each type of treatment differs in its invasiveness, so the type of treatment you receive depends on your specific condition or symptoms. Some of the most common interventional pain management techniques are:

Nerve blockage: Pain signals travel through nerves to the brain. Nerve blocks block these signals and reduce pain. The type of nerve blocker depends on the treatment plan. Some are minimally invasive and last hours or days. Other nerve blocks require surgical intervention and may be long-term or permanent.

Infusions: Infusions deliver pain relievers directly into the body. These are typically intended for long-term use. Intrathecal injections are made into the subarachnoid space of the brain. An epidural injection is used in the spinal cord.

Injections: Common types of injections include epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, and trigger joint injections. Each of these injections targets different pain points in the body. Injections usually include an anesthetic and a steroid.

Radiofrequency ablation: This treatment is usually used to treat back and neck pain, primarily when the pain is caused by arthritis. This technique uses radio waves to create an electrical current that is then used to heat an area of ​​nerve tissue. This method reduces pain signals from the area.

Spinal cord stimulation: This technique treats chronic pain by applying a gentle electrical current to the source of the pain. A wire is inserted near the spine and a small generator is inserted in the abdomen or buttocks. The generator sends electrical signals to the spine, blocking the brain’s ability to sense pain.

Peripheral Nerve Field Stimulation: This type of treatment is related to spinal cord stimulation, except that it is localized in different body parts. Electrical electrodes are placed as close to the source of pain as possible and follow the same general process as spinal cord stimulation.

Interventional Pain Management Doctors at Shantiraj Hospital

Shantiraj Hospital was the first clinic in the area to house both primary and specialist care under one roof.  If you are experiencing chronic or acute pain, request an appointment with one of our doctors to discuss your treatment options. Our goal is to reduce the pain you are experiencing and restore your quality of life.