About Pain Management

Chronic pain is pain which continues to impair functioning and one's sense of well being despite medical treatment and ultimately interferes with an individual's life. Managing chronic pain requires the patient's time and dedication on the part of the patient, family and health care providers.

The source of chronic pain cannot always be eliminated. With proper diagnosis and treatment many people are able to manage their pain effectively through a multidisciplinary approach. The subspecialty of Pain Management is concerned specifically with the diagnosis and management of complex problems of acute and chronic pain.

Poor physical conditioning and prolonged use of sedatives or narcotic drugs can often be complicating factors in the management of chronic pain. The OPA Pain Management Service has the ability to draw on a team of various professionals to treat all facets of chronic pain. Special attention is directed to medical management and providing various invasive procedures to effectively reduce the patient's level of discomfort.