Pain Management

Neck, Back & Spine Pain

Pain involving the neck, back, and spine are among the most universal complaints voiced by adults and come in a variety of types and forms of pain. Pain can arise from a sports injury, accident, fall or trauma or long-term overuse injuries. In severe cases, this pain can greatly impact a person’s quality of life by creating not only discomfort and psychological distress, but also difficulties with handling daily tasks or enjoying activities one used to enjoy. Untreated pain can also interfere with the body’s natural healing process, and may lead to further problems.

At the Center for Spine at Hoag Orthopedic Institute we believe in treating our patients’ overall health with evidence-based treatment options. Our Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation board-certified physicians, also known as physiatrists, work in collaboration with our Orange County spine doctors to provide noninvasive and minimally invasive evidence-based pain management treatments to help patients effectively manage their pain while carefully assessing and treating their underlying conditions.

In spine and musculoskeletal cases, pain management is an essential component to our comprehensive treatment plan offered to our patients. By providing non-surgical anti-inflammatory treatment options a patient can thrive with physical therapy consisting of stretching and light exercise to resolve neck pain and back pain. When more conservative (non-surgical) treatments don’t resolve the underlying condition causing pain, our Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) physicians work with our spine surgeons during surgery as well as post-surgery to ensure a smooth recovery by developing the right pain management plan to properly rehabilitate patients after surgery.

Pain management treatments may include:

• Physiotherapy
• Osteopathy and chiropractic
• Physical therapy, including stretching and exercise
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Anti-neuropathic treatments
• Pain medication
• Facet join injections
• Epidural injections
• Selective nerve root block
• Acupuncture
• Biofeedback

Because every patient is different, our team of specialists takes a personalized approach to understanding symptoms and complaints and devising customized plans. Pain management may be used during the initial phases of a patient’s treatment, including during non-surgical treatment of certain conditions. It is also an important component in post-surgery recoveries, and can allow patients to engage in physical therapy that will improve their health and recovery.

Find a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician Today

Pain management draws from many disciplines of medicine, and requires close collaboration with spine specialists treating the underlying condition. In spine and musculoskeletal cases, pain management is essential to providing non-surgical care and rehabilitating patients after surgery.

Find a physiatrist today to discuss your treatment options for your chronic pain. Browse our online physician directory.