Acute pain begins suddenly, with a limited duration, and is usually the result of a medical illness, injury, or surgery. Chronic pain has a longer duration and may be associated with diseases or abnormal conditions, such as arthritis.

Interventional pain medicine is a relatively new but growing field that utilizes a variety of procedures such as injection, nerve blocks, and physical therapy to treat painful disorder and injuries. Interventional pain physicians are board-certified anesthesiologists with subspecialty training in pain medicine.

Everyone has a different threshold for tolerating pain. Only you can decide when it is time to seek help. However, it may be time to see a doctor if you experience one or more of the following:

• No relief after trying all the usual treatments of aspirin, analgesic creams, heating pads, and cold compressions
• Pain that lasts longer than 4-6 weeks after an injury or illness
• Pain for which you cannot identify the source
• Unusual increase in moodiness or irritability
• Insomnia or any inability to sleep due to pain
• Extreme fatigue without cause
• Muscle aches and stiffness lasting longer than normal

Whatever sign or symptom of pain you may be experiencing, it is important that you bring your concerns to the attention of your physician. With an accurate diagnosis of the source of your pain, and a treatment plan for recovery, you can achieve a better quality of life free from pain.

Your first appointment at Anesco Interventional Pain Institute will be a consultation. We will answer your questions to help us understand your pain, such as the location, intensity and type of pain (aching, throbbing, burning, stabbing, etc.), how often the pain occurs, and situations that either increase or decrease its severity.

We will also discuss your medical history and complete a physical examination. Based on the information obtained at the consultation, we will recommend a treatment plan for you.

Since pain is a complex and individual condition, the length and type of treatment varies from patient to patient. In some cases, a simple procedure will help, while in others, a lifelong approach will be necessary. Your physician will explain your diagnosis and treatment options in detail.