Pain Medicine

Most patients experience pain at one point or another. Pain is a vastly general term that includes many types of subjective complaints, and it encompasses several pathological and physiological processes. The most important objective for patients who experience pain, regardless of what type and intensity of the complaint, is to find a healthcare provider that is properly trained to identify and treat the main cause of the pain. At CareFirst our providers have accumulated decades of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of pain, and more importantly they truly care for your well-being.

There are multiple types of pain. If you or your loved one started experiencing pain within the last four weeks or so you might be experiencing acute pain. Acute pain is often associated with “fresh” or recent injuries. In addition to reducing the intensity of acute pain the goal of an efficient pain medicine team is to address the probable injury that is causing the pain. If the cause of the pain is not addressed properly it can result in longer recovery times or even permanent damage to body tissues. Therefore, your provider may order radiographs, MRIs, lab tests, urinalysis, and/or other diagnostic tests aimed at pinpointing the root of the problem. In addition to pharmacological management and pain management procedures (please refer to OUR SERVICES section on this website), our team may utilize non-invasive techniques to accelerate your recovery time. Non-invasive treatments may include physical rehabilitation, chiropractic care, and wellness care. At CareFirst you can be confident of the quality and effectiveness of our approach to the treatment of acute pain.

In some occasions patients may experience pain for more than three months, and in some cases pain can be experienced for years. These patients experience what is called chronic pain. Chronic pain is a distinct medical condition that commands specific and effective treatment. At CareFirst our team has ample experience in diagnosing and treating chronic pain, and we understand the heavy burden chronic pain places on our patients and their families. The following is the definition of chronic pain from the American Association of Pain Management:

"While acute pain is a normal sensation triggered in the nervous system to alert you to possible injury and the need to take care of yourself, chronic pain is different. Chronic pain persists. Pain signals keep firing in the nervous system for weeks, months, even years. There may have been an initial mishap -- sprained back, serious infection, or there may be an ongoing cause of pain -- arthritis, cancer, ear infection, but some people suffer chronic pain in the absence of any past injury or evidence of body damage. Many chronic pain conditions affect older adults. Common chronic pain complaints include headache, low back pain, cancer pain, arthritis pain, neurogenic pain (pain resulting from damage to the peripheral nerves or to the central nervous system itself)."

"A recent market research report indicates that more than 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from chronic pain and that approximately 3- 4.5% of the global population suffers from neuropathic pain, with incidence rate increasing in complementary to age."

Thank you for your interest in CareFirst Pain Medicine. It would be our privilege to participate in your care. Call us at 903-839-1000 to schedule an appointment today!