Pain Management in New Jersey

Chronic pain can be a debilitating issue that significantly reduces the quality of life of a patient. Nirvana Healthcare Management Services, patients in Essex County, New Jersey, find primary care providers with extensive experience in chronic pain management and prevention. These physicians have the expertise to diagnose and treat pain, without creating adverse consequences for patients, by utilizing a preventative approach.

Learn more about pain management from Nirvana’s primary care locations: Salerno Medical Associates, Metropolitan Medical Group, Roseville Medical Society, and North Ward Medical Arts. We also offer specialized treatment at Prospect Spine and Pain. Treatments are also available CHOP, which provides house visits to eligible patients.

What Is Chronic Pain?

After a person gets sick or injured, they may experience pain that lasts several weeks or months. When pain persists for three months — even if it comes and goes —it becomes chronic. This pain often interferes with day-to-day activities, from work duties to socializing with family and friends. Since chronic pain has such a profound effect on everyday life, it sometimes causes people to feel anxious and depressed, which may worsen the discomfort.

Not all cases of chronic pain stem from the same source. Some people develop pain from an illness or injury that does not stop after recovery. Other people have an underlying condition that causes constant pain, such as arthritis or cancer. In other cases, the cause is psychological. For instance, someone under an immense amount of stress may have lower levels of endorphins in the blood that are causing their pain. Regardless of the reason for chronic pain, patients should know this condition is treatable.

How Does Chronic Pain Manifest?

Chronic pain manifests in different areas of the body and comes with distinct sensations for each patient. The three most common areas for chronic pain are the back, head, and major joints, but individuals may also experience it in the following regions:

• All over the body (fibromyalgia)
• Areas affected by cancer
• Neck
• Nerves/nervous system (neurogenic pain)
• Scar tissue
• Testicles (orchialgia)

People with chronic pain may develop other symptoms over time, such as insomnia, mood swings, and tiredness. Additionally, the discomfort may feel different for each person. For example, some patients say the pain is aching or throbbing, while others claim it is burning or stinging. Stiffness is another sensation associated with chronic pain.

Diagnosing Chronic Pain

Since pain is typically a symptom of another condition, a primary care physician will likely ask the patient about their experience to guide the diagnosis. These questions could include where the pain is, how often it occurs, how intense it is, and what actions intensify or relieve the pain. They may also inquire about past conditions or surgeries and the amount of stress in the patient’s life. If further investigation is required, the doctor may conduct blood tests, imaging scans, and other screenings to pinpoint the pain’s origin.

Treating Chronic Pain

Treatment for chronic pain tends to align with its cause. However, if a primary care provider cannot identify the source, the goal is pain management. In many cases, a single treatment method will not be enough to cure a patient of chronic pain. Instead, physicians may combine techniques to relieve a patient’s discomfort.

The options for treating chronic pain are far-reaching. They include lifestyle changes, such as exercising more and modifying dietary habits, or holistic approaches, like physical therapy or occupational therapy. Medication is another common treatment for chronic pain. Multiple prescription and over-the-counter drugs may be recommended for treating pain, from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antidepressants to topical products and medical marijuana.

Since there are numerous medicines for chronic pain, a significant aspect of treatment is medication management. In general, over-the-counter options are safe, but improper use can lead to unfavorable outcomes, as evidenced by the nationwide opioid crisis. Additionally, other drugs affect certain organs, such as the liver. At Nirvana Healthcare Management Services, primary care physicians not only suggest different medications for treatment but also educate patients on the safest and most effective dosages for alleviating pain.

Seek Specialty Care at Prospect Spine and Pain

While the primary care providers of Nirvana Healthcare Management Services are highly skilled in a wide range of areas, some people have more complex diagnoses requiring advanced treatment. In these situations, a physician may refer the patient to Prospect Spine and Pain in Newark, NJ. Here, patients receive care from a board-certified physiatrist, Dr. Maria Cabodevilla-Conn, and a team of interventional pain doctors. This team helps patients achieve better function and increased quality of life by creating customized treatment plans for the pain in the following areas:

• Elbow
• Foot and ankle
• Hand and wrist
• Hip
• Knee
• Shoulder
• Spine

Attain Pain Management Care in Essex County, NJ

Patients rely on Nirvana Healthcare Management Services to locate top-quality primary care providers and specialists in various areas, including chronic pain management and pain treatment. Physician-owned and operated, the healthcare organization focuses on promoting standardization of care across several locations in Newark and East Orange, NJ, including Salerno Medical Associates, Metropolitan Medical Group, Roseville Medical Society, North Ward Medical Arts, and CHOP. To learn more about primary care services, contact the office today.