Comprehensive Pain Management and PM&R Services in North Carolina
North Carolina Pain Management, a part of the Neurosciences & Spine Center, is your premier pain management practice. Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) — also known as physiatry — focuses on enhancing and restoring functional ability and quality of life for those with physical impairments.
Our team for pain and PM&R at North Carolina Pain Management comprises board-certified physicians, including specialists in pain management, physical medicine, and rehabilitation. These experts diagnose and treat a broad spectrum of injuries and conditions, collaborating closely with a network of specialists such as psychologists, spinal surgeons, physical therapists, and more, as needed.
Understanding PM&R
Pain Management and PM&R specialists address many different conditions and chronic pain issues:
Neck and Back Pain
- Cervical/Thoracic/Lumbar Radiculopathy
- Cervical/Lumbar Spondylosis
- Disc Herniation
- Spinal Stenosis with or without Neurogenic Claudication
- Cervical/Lumbar Facet Joint Arthropathy or Facet-mediated Pain
- Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
- Post-laminectomy Syndrome / Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome (previously known as Failed Back Surgery Syndrome)
- Thoracic or Lumbar compression fractures
- Cervicogenic headaches
Joint and Musculoskeletal Pain
- Knee/Hip/Shoulder pain
- Knee/Hip/Shoulder osteoarthritis
- Rotator cuff tendinopathy/tendinitis/impingement syndrome
- Adhesive capsulitis
- Subacromial bursitis
- Greater trochanteric bursitis
- Post-surgical knee/shoulder pain
- Piriformis syndrome
- Myofascial pain
- Lateral epicondylitis
- De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
Nerve and Neuropathic Pain
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Carpal tunnel syndrome/Median nerve entrapment
- Cubital tunnel syndrome/Ulnar nerve entrapment
- Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve entrapment
- Occipital neuralgia
- Supraorbital neuralgia
- Ilioinguinal neuralgia
Treatments/Interventions
- Non-opioid medication management
- Epidural Steroid Injections
- Facet/Medial branch blocks
- Radiofrequency Ablations and Pulsed Radiofrequency
- Joint Injections (steroid or hyaluronate/viscosupplementation)
- Peripheral and Sympathetic Nerve Blocks
- Spinal Cord Stimulation
- Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
- Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression
- Kyphoplasty
- Percutaneous Disc Decompression
- Botox for Migraines
Pain Management Treatments and Techniques
As a comprehensive pain management practice, the Neurosciences & Spine Center and North Carolina Pain Management offers a wide range of services all under one roof, including:
- Joint Injections: This procedure involves injecting medication directly into a joint to reduce pain and inflammation. It is often used for arthritis and other joint-related conditions.
- Peripheral Nerve Blocks: These involve injecting anesthetic or anti-inflammatory medication around a specific nerve to block pain signals. They are commonly used for acute or chronic pain management.
- Peripheral Nerve Hydrodissections: This technique separates nerves from the surrounding tissue using a fluid injection to relieve compression, typically used to treat chronic pain or entrapment syndromes.
- Tendon Disorder Injections: These injections, often involving corticosteroids or regenerative therapies, are used to treat inflammation, pain, or injury in tendons, such as tendinitis or tendinopathy.
- Viscosupplementation Injections: This procedure involves injecting hyaluronic acid gel into a joint to improve lubrication and reduce pain, commonly used for knee osteoarthritis.
- Spinal Injections: Medication is delivered to specific areas of the spine to relieve pain and inflammation. They are often used for conditions like sciatica or herniated discs.
- Spinal Ablations: This minimally invasive procedure involves using radiofrequency heat or other methods to disrupt nerve function, effectively reducing chronic back or neck pain.
- MILD Procedure: Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD) is a procedure that removes small amounts of tissue or bone to reduce compression on spinal nerves, used for lumbar spinal stenosis.
- Spinal Stimulator Trials: This involves temporarily implanting a spinal cord stimulator device to evaluate its effectiveness in reducing chronic pain before permanent placement.
Our treatments are tailored to each patient’s unique needs, with the goals of reducing pain, restoring function, and improving quality of life.
Benefits of an Integrated Pain Management and PM&R Approach
Each patient receives personalized attention and gains access to the collective expertise of the entire medical team. This integrated approach optimizes treatment outcomes, helping our patients quickly return to an active lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need pain management or PM&R services?
If you’re experiencing chronic pain that disrupts your daily life or limits mobility, pain management can provide relief and restore function through targeted treatments. PM&R services are beneficial if you’re dealing with a physical impairment or disability that impacts your ability to perform everyday activities.
How long does it take to see results from PM&R therapy?
It varies depending on the individual’s condition and treatment plan, with some patients noticing improvements within a few sessions, while others may take considerably longer. Consistent participation in the recommended therapies and following your doctor’s instructions can enhance progress and lead to more lasting results.
