Treating Chronic Pain

Treating chronic pain requires a commitment from the patient and clinician to frequently meet, evaluate, and reassess the treatment plan. Our practice has the resources to treat chronic pain long-term. Common treatments are:

• Coordination of Care
• Many of our patients are involved with several caregivers in the diagnosis and treatment of their condition. We help our patients interpret advice given by other clinicians in order to assist to make the right medical decision. We also will help find a medical specialist such as a Neurologist or Psychologist and other allied health providers like an acupuncturist, nutritionist, chiropractor, or physical therapist.
• Medications
• Many types of medications are often needed to treat pain. We are familiar with all currently available and proven medications for pain treatment. Opioids (morphine-like medications) are used commonly, with care. Our practice has a remarkable safety record in using medications, recognizing and treating side effects, and we are aware of inappropriate use. Types of medications used include:
• Opioids (Morphine-like pain medications)
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Sleep Aids
• Muscle Relaxants
• Anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications
• Anti-seizure medications
• Medications for treatment of nausea, constipation
• Injections and Minimally Invasive Treatments
• Epidural Injections
• Facet Joint Injections
• Joint injections
• Nerve blocks
• Botox (Botulinum toxin) for headache and muscle pain
• Nucleoplasty for spinal disc herniation
• Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty for vertebral compression fractures
• Implanted Devices for Pain Treatment
• For some patients, pain is so severe that simpler treatments are not effective, or the side effects of treatment are unacceptable. In these cases, two types of implanted pain relieving devices are considered. Dr. Grigsby is highly experienced and regarded as a national leader in the use of implanted devices.
• Implanted Drug Delivery System
• This small, wholly implanted device is placed under the skin of the abdomen and is connected to a small tube (catheter) that releases the pain relieving medication to the spinal column to bathe the spinal cord continuously. Medications delivered in this way are profoundly more powerful than oral medications with fewer side effects. This procedure requires a minor surgery and an overnight stay in the hospital. The device lasts about 8 years and is refilled monthly with a brief office-based injection of new medication.
• Spinal Cord Stimulation System
• This device is made up of very small electrodes that are placed on the nerve, or the part of the spinal cord, which carries the patient’s pain signal to the brain. This electrode is attached to a very small, wholly implanted battery pack. Patients can turn this device on and off and change the amount of stimulation desired at home. This device utilizes no medications and is especially effective for nerve related pain.