My Forsyth_March 2021

Treating
Pain:
IT’S A JOINT EFFORT
By Miranda Reed Cleaver, D.O.
Pain is an unfortunate part of life for
many people. Chronic pain, defined
as pain that lasts for longer than three
months or pain that lasts beyond the
routine time expected for healing,
can be debilitating for thousands of
people. Chronic pain can keep people from
enjoying daily activities such a playing with
children or grandchildren, attending functions
such as weddings, or even enjoying a walk.
Fortunately, with advancements in medicine,
not everyone has to live in constant pain.
Yes, it is true pain is an unfavorable part of
life, but suffering does not have to be. There are
many advanced techniques that physicians, in
particular pain management physicians, can
help perform to get people back up and running
to help increase their quality of life. Most
patients associate pain management physicians
with medications, and this could not be further
from the truth.
Yes, as pain management physicians we
prescribed opioids, as well as non-opioid
medications to help control pain. However,
this is not the only type of service we provide
for patients.
Pain management physicians will
recommend multiple modalities for managing
pain. These modalities vary and are extremely
specific to the patient’s individual needs and
diagnosis. Some of these recommendations
can include, non-opioids, formal and homebased
physical therapy, massage, chiropractic
care, TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve
Stimulation) Units, heat, and ice.
What do you do as a patient if
you have tried and failed these
things? What is next? How do you
approach your pain?
This is where your pain management physician
will usually step in to help. If you are not a
surgical candidate, or you are wanting to
avoid surgical treatments, your physician
may recommend treatment options involving
injections. Often, people hear the word needle
and injection and will shutter with fear. Even
though every procedure comes with risks, most
procedures are relatively safe and carry a lower
risk profile. These risks and benefits are well
discussed between the patient and physician at
office appointments.
As a patient, your physician wants you to feel
comfortable and ask questions. Ultimately you
are responsible for your own healthcare and you
need to be well informed of what is going on with
your body. Your physician is happy to answer any
questions to help put your mind at ease.
What type of injections are we talking about?
Depending on your diagnosis, your physician
may speak to you about epidurals, facet
injections (nerve blocks) or radiofrequency
ablations, and trigger point injections, to name
a few. These injections can be performed in the
neck, upper, and lower back, as well as for knee
or shoulder pains.
If you have tried and failed the previously
mentioned treatment options, where do you go
from here?
This is where neuromodulation or spinal
cord stimulators come into play for many
patients. These are sophisticated and FDA
approved implantable devices that help
change the way your brain perceives pain by
interrupting signals from the area of your body
that hurts to your brain. Do stimulators take
away all your pain? No they do not.
Unfortunately, being pain free is not a
realistic option for most people. However, spinal
cord stimulators can help keep you up and
functioning at an improved capacity without
putting medications into your body.
You have more control over your pain
because you as the patient can control your
therapy settings to adjust for what you as an
individual needs for your pain. Spinal cord
stimulators are also trialed beforehand, so you
know exactly how your body will respond before
you decide to move forward with having your
physician implant them. Spinal cord stimulators
are not usually first line treatment for chronic
pain, but they are a wonderful option for many
patients in which other modalities have failed.
Nothing we do as physicians can fully reverse all
chronic pain issues but helping you as a patient
enjoy your life to the fullest and increase your
daily quality are what we strive for every day.
Miranda Reed Cleaver, D.O., specializes in Pain Management
Physician/Anesthesiology. Her professional interests include low back pain,
cervical pain, complex regional pain syndrome, thoracic pain, knee and shoulder
pain. She may be reached at 770-800-3455.
34 MYFORSYTHMAG.COM VOLUME XI | ISSUE 1