Chronic pain can take an extraordinary physical and emotional toll that
affects all areas of a persons' life including day-to-day activities, mental
health, vocation and home life. Millions of Americans suffer from persistent
pain each year, which can be caused by a number of factors.
Penn Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) offers hope to those
living with pain by providing comprehensive evaluation regarding the cause of
the painful condition, then pain treatment and management services that address
the unique needs of each patient.
Common Types of Pain Treated by Physiatrists
The most common reason people seek the care of a
physiatrist is because they are experiencing some type of pain.
Back pain is the most common type of pain treated by physiatrists. Typically
surgery is not needed to relieve back pain and it can be successfully treated
with a combination of focused physical therapy, pain medications, and when
necessary, spinal injections. It is common to treat back pain with an active
exercise program that teaches postural techniques that decrease pain. Back pain
can lead to:
- Limited range of motion, flexibility
- Problems standing and walking
- Physical and emotional stress
Other common types of pain treated by physiatrists are:
How Our Rehabilitation Team Treats Pain
Our interdisciplinary team of physiatrists, physical therapists,
occupational therapists and rehabilitation nurses provide the latest
advancements in pain treatment services. Our experienced physiatrists are
highly skilled in evaluating and diagnosing the cause of pain. After the source
of the pain is pinpointed, an individualized treatment plan is created that
treats the "whole person", not just the problem area, to decrease pain and
restore physical function.
What to Expect at a Physical Exam for Pain Management
A physiatrist will consult with you about your pain and how it may be
affecting your everyday life. The initial examination will include a detailed
medical, vocational and psychosocial history as well as a comprehensive
neurological and musculoskeletal exam. Tests such as EMG and nerve conduction
testing may be ordered to evaluate for nerve injury. To rule out the
possibility of disease such as cancer, tests such as MRI imaging of the spine
or other body regions may be performed. Once a diagnosis is made, a treatment
protocol is designed that may include education, functional restoration through
physical therapy, behavior modification, pain medication or spinal injections
with corticosteroid medications.
Common Ways to Treat Pain
Common ways to treat and manage pain include:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Individualized exercise program
- Anesthetic or anti-inflammatory injections
- Pain medication
- Education and supportive counseling