Pain Management In Spartanburg, SC

The thing about pain is that we all experience it differently – for some people, pain can be intense and unbearable while others feel it to a lesser degree. Whatever the case, if you’ve been struggling with pain for a long time, now is the best time to consider seeking the services of a professional pain management expert.

If you are looking for pain management in Spartanburg, SC, then you’ve come to the right place. Carolina Spine & Pain is a multidisciplinary medical practice that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of both chronic and acute pain conditions with an emphasis on disorders that affect the spine. As industry leaders, we’re dedicated to serving people in need of pain management solutions and the medical community through compassionate and outstanding care.

Our physicians are all board-certified in pain management and are proficient in all interventional therapies to treat non-spinal and spinal pain syndromes. At Carolina Spine & Pain in Spartanburg, we deliver comprehensive healthcare through the use of supplemental medications as well as injectional therapies when necessary and appropriate. If need be, we’ll provide referrals to alternative medicine treatment options, surgical specialists, and physical therapists.

Our proven track record when it comes to patient safety and our broad knowledge in non-spinal and spinal pain disorders have earned us a reputation as being the pain management clinic to seek when searching for comprehensive, compassionate, and gentle medical care in South Carolina. For more information on how we can help you manage your pain more effectively, call 864-808-2995 now to speak with a specialist and book an appointment.

Table of Contents

What’s Pain Management?

Pain management is a line of health care and medicine involving the relief of pain in various dimensions, from simple and acute to challenging and chronic. Pain management generally uses a multidisciplinary approach to provide relief and improve the quality of life of any person experiencing pain, be it chronic or acute.

The general relief of pain (analgesia) typically involves managing acute pain while managing pain will generally require extra dimensions. In some cases, the pain will resolve easily once the underlying pathology or trauma has been treated, and by one physician, with drugs like analgesics (pain relievers) and, in some cases anxiolytics. However, for pain to be effectively managed, it will often require the coordinated efforts of a fully-fledged pain management team.

It’s worth noting that effective pain management doesn’t always mean the complete eradication of pain. Rather, it – most of the time – means achieving a tolerable quality of life amid pain via a combination of pain lessening and/or understanding it and living happily despite it all.

What’s the Goal of a Pain Management Doctor or Clinic?

The purpose of pain treatment and management is to reduce distress/suffering and enhance functioning while mitigating the effects of pain. While it’s very difficult to eliminate pain, it still is possible to control pain levels to a tolerable point and allow the affected person to function to a certain level.

There are a few goals that almost all practices aim for when providing pain management solutions. These goals are:

Improve Quality of Life

The #1 goal of any pain management clinic is to improve its patients’ quality of life. And while controlling/managing pain plays a vital role in improving quality of life, it’s not everything. Other things like what’s important to you and the things you enjoyed doing before your pain became a nuisance are vital considerations as they help us determine how we can get you back to doing the things you love without solely focusing on pain.

Reducing Pain Intensity and Patient Discomfort

For most people who experience pain, achieving a pain-free life is unlikely. This is why we, at Carolina Spine & Pain, mainly focus on reducing pain symptoms to a livable and manageable level through different procedures that either address the cause of the pain or that help manage symptoms like behavioral counseling, physical therapy, or non-narcotic medications.

Enhancing Physical Functioning

One of our goals as a pain management practice is to find a balance that allows you to work out without feeling too much pain. If you are too out of shape, physical therapy may be required to help you regain function and strength.

Improving Mental Wellbeing

Pain can lead to issues such as anxiety, depression, remorse, sadness, guilt, and even thoughts of self-harm. Such feelings are normal and can be easily addressed during treatment.

Appropriate Use of Medications

Many people wrongly believe that managing pain means freely using narcotics – but that’s not the case. Our role as pain management experts is to prescribe medication only when it’s necessary, especially when it comes to narcotic drugs. At Carolina Spine & Pain, we take this very seriously and are committed to the wellbeing and safety of all our patients.

What Are Some of the Different Types of Treatments Available at Carolina Spine & Pain?

We use the following treatments for pain management in Spartanburg, SC.

Radiofrequency Ablation (Lumbar Spine/Cervical Spine)

Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that is often used to treat severe cases of chronic lower back pain. During the procedure, radiofrequency waves are used to beam heat on specific nerves around the facet joints located on each side of the lumbar/cervical spine. Since radiofrequency ablation is minimally invasive, it allows patients to walk in for surgery and head home shortly after feeling much better.

Spinal Cord Stimulator

A spinal cord stimulator is a type of neuromodulation device that’s implanted on select areas of a patient’s spinal cord to treat certain types of conditions. The device works by sending electrical signals to the dorsal columns and is effective for treating pain caused by issues such as nerve pain, failed back surgery, and sciatica.

Nerve Blocks

Nerve blocks, which are also known as selective nerve root block injections, are typically used to both treat and diagnose inflamed spinal nerves. A medication, generally an anesthetic with steroid or an anesthetic is injected near the patient’s spinal nerve as it exits what’s known as the intervertebral foramen. The medication numbs the pain transmitted by the affected nerve and reduces inflammation.

Medication Management

Medication management refers to the prescription and use of medication to reduce pain intensity. The primary goal of any medication prescribed is to help you participate fully in the pain management process so you can return to living your normal life. There are lots of non-opioid medications (such as aspirin, acetaminophen, steroids, and ibuprofen) that are available over-the-counter or by prescription. Interestingly, most patients find that such medication is all they need to feel better.

Orthopedic Surgery

This is a branch of surgery that deals with conditions related to the musculoskeletal system. Our orthopedic surgeons use both nonsurgical and surgical procedures to treat spine diseases, congenital disorders, tumors, infections, degenerative diseases, sports injuries, and musculoskeletal trauma.

Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty refers to the procedure used to treat vertebral body compression fractures (small fractures in the mass of the bone that constitutes the front of the spinal column). These fractures are what lead to the compression or collapse of the vertebra, causing your spinal cord to curve forward and shorten. This can result in kyphotic deformities and pain.

Chiropractic Adjustments

This treatment option involves the use of hands or special instruments to manipulate body joints. The process, also known as joint or spinal manipulation, can help correct your body’s alignment, reduce pain, and improve physical function. Chiropractic adjustments can also help with muscle pains, neck pain, headaches, lower back pain, and other issues that affect body joints.

Injections

There are many different types of injections that are administered to patients with each type addressing a different issue.

One of the most common ones is the epidural steroid injection which is often used to treat or relieve neck, lower back, and upper back pain. The medication is generally administered into the epidural space, which is located around the spinal cord and is used to reduce pain and inflammation.

Joint injections are another common type of pain management injection and are often used to deliver medication into a patient’s joints for quick relief of inflammation and pain. There are also trigger point injections that are used to help painful muscle knots relax.

What Are Some of the Different Types of Conditions that Carolina Spine & Pain Can Treat?

At Carolina Spine & Pain, we treat all types of pain whether chronic or acute. Some of the conditions that we treat and provide pain management for include:

What Should You Look for in a Spartanburg Pain Management Clinic?

According to statistics, 1 in 4 Americans suffers pain that lasts for more than twenty-four hours. In fact, more people in America suffer from pain than from diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined. If you are a part of this statistic, then chances are you are wondering where you can go to get the relief you want. Today, more and more people who suffer from pain are choosing pain management clinics to help manage their pain, and for good reason.

However, while a pain management clinic or specialist can help make a real difference in managing your pain and living a more productive life, it is worth keeping in mind that not all practices are created equal. When searching for a pain treatment clinic, ask the following five questions to ensure that you pick the right practice for pain management in Spartanburg, SC.

Are Your Doctors Board-Certified in Pain Management?

Managing and treating pain is complicated and the research is constantly evolving. Doctors who specialize in treating pain are people who have an in-depth knowledge of the diagnostic tests that are used to diagnose the cause, the physiology of pain, the best medication and approaches to treat different conditions, and how to perform different pain-relieving procedures like spinal injections or nerve blocks.

For a physician to be certified as a pain specialist, he or she must first complete a fellowship – this involves getting extra training after completing residency. The American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the American Board of Anesthesiology, and the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology offer pain management certification.

Before making any appointments, take the time to find out if your physician is certified.

Does the Clinic Have Experience Treating the Type of Pain You Are Experiencing?

Cancer pain is different from rheumatoid arthritis pain, which is different from knee pain and lower back pain. When searching for a Spartanburg pain management clinic, ensure that the practice you are considering has doctors who have experience treating your condition. Find out how long they have been working as pain management specialists and consider which treatment methods and procedures they recommend.

Does the Clinic or Doctor Offer a Range of Treatment Solutions and Options?

Everybody experiences pain differently and responds to treatments differently too. While one person may get relief after one steroid shot, another will require spinal cord stimulation to feel relief. And while opioids are useful in treating or relieving pain, they still pose a serious risk. If the clinic’s main focus is to prescribe opioid medication for pain management, then consider looking elsewhere.

Are You Comfortable With Your Physician?

For the best results, it’s essential to ensure that you and your physician are on the same page and team. When looking for a pain management clinic, it’s imperative that the person or people you work with understand your pain, make you feel respected, and have professional and experienced enough to help you solve your pain problem.

Does the Practice Have a Multidisciplinary Approach With Multiple Professionals?

Pain management can sometimes mean having a whole team helping you get the relief you want.

As someone experiencing pain, you may require physical therapy to help make movement less painful. In some cases, you may benefit from chiropractic care or acupuncture. If your pain is causing you to be emotionally unstable, then the help of a counselor could prove useful.

When checking out different pain management clinics in Spartanburg, make sure the practice you choose understands the importance of having experts from different lines of healthcare providing treatment to one person. The practice should be willing and ready to refer you to another professional in a different but complementary field – i.e. if they don’t have an in-house expert.

What Should You Avoid in a Pain Management Clinic?

Avoid any pain management clinic that prefers to rely on narcotics to treat pain. Narcotics should only be used when necessary. Most of the medication used to treat pain is highly addictive and can interact with other medications you take. A professional Spartanburg pain management clinic should be focused on you, the patient, not just the pain.

Call Us Today for Effective Pain Management in Spartanburg, SC!

Pain shouldn’t be the reason why you can no longer lead a productive life or enjoy your favorite activities. With the right care techniques and pain management, addressing your goals and enjoying pain relief is something that can be attained.

If you are currently searching for a professional pain management clinic in Spartanburg, then reach out to us at Carolina Spine & Pain for more on how we can help manage your pain. Call 864-808-2995 now and book an appointment today. Let us help you get back to living your life to the fullest.

Pain Management in Spartanburg, SC