Make Pain a Thing of the Past – specialist – Physician Partners of America

Tag Archive for: specialist

PPOA Expands Use of Laser Procedures

,

Laser procedures speed recovery for most patients

In its mission to combat the opioid crisis and follow best practices in medicine, Physician Partners of America is pleased to announce the widespread use of laser spine techniques.

PPOA pain management physicians are in the process of being trained in the use of the Holmium YAG laser to perform neck and back pain procedures. The laser is used to ablate pain-causing nerves, as well as tissue that is pressing on nerves.

“It’s better therapy, better efficacy, and the safety is unparalleled,” says Abraham Rivera, M.D., PPOA’s chief medical officer. “It’s a new set of skills that many physicians do not have.”

The company has invested in training and equipment for each of its pain management physicians.

Are laser procedures the best treatment for chronic pain?

The laser is the next step on the continuum of cutting-edge medicine, and Physician Partners of America has always focused on the latest developments in interventional pain management. That subspecialty of pain medicine focuses on treating pain at its source, rather than masking it with medication.

Interventional pain management encompasses a less-is-more approach:

  • Noninvasive techniques, such as injections and nerve blocks
  • Regenerative medicine, such as stem cell therapy and PRP

Patients who are ready for the next level of treatment can consider other approaches PPOA offers:

  • Minimally invasive surgical techniques, with incisions of less than one inch, and small instruments
  • Endoscopic procedures, which use a series of narrow, camera-enabled tubes through which the surgeon works

The laser can be used in any type of minimally invasive procedure.

What are laser spine procedures?

The laser procedures performed by PPOA pain management physicians require an incision barely wider than a needle.

The laser allows for precise targeting of nerves and tissue, quicker healing through muscle-sparing techniques, and a reduced chance of bleeding and infection. Patients walk out the same day and can get back to work or activities in days or weeks instead of months. It is a revolutionary instrument that PPOA uses to stay at the forefront of medical technology.

“It sets us apart from the competition,” says Dr. Rivera. “It’s not a procedure we make money on. That’s not the end result or purpose of it, but it’s something we believe gives patients much better results.”

Many patients choose PPOA for additional reasons: it accepts Medicare and most insurance, and has a long history of performing interventional techniques as an effective alternative to opioids. Services are available throughout Florida and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Initial appointments can be made the same-day patients call and transportation is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

/by

Should I See a Pain Management Specialist?

,

Chronic pain is exactly what it sounds like. It is an ongoing period of discomfort that causes people to feel almost constant pain in some part of their bodies.

For people who suffer from chronic pain, it can be difficult to lead a normal life. A pain management specialist can help with that.

Before you decide whether or not to see a pain management specialist, here are some things to consider:

Start with Some Questions

Before you see a pain management specialist, ask yourself a few questions first. To begin, how long have you had this pain? If it’s a new pain, you may not need a pain management specialist right away. If it’s something that has been ongoing, you may.

Another thing to ask yourself is if you know what’s causing the pain and if any treatment has improved your discomfort. For example, if you’ve recently been injured and are currently having treatment, you may want to give that treatment time before exploring other options.

However, the big question you should ask yourself is if the pain you’re in is negatively impacting your daily life. If your current treatments aren’t working and your pain makes it difficult to lead a normal life, a pain management specialist may be able to help.

How a Pain Management Specialist can Help

Pain management specialists will work to diagnose it and determine what the causes may be. Since they focus specifically on pain, they know the latest medical treatments and techniques to help.

When it comes to treatment, pain management specialists can come up with a plan to treat your pain using multiple disciplines. This means seeking out other professionals in areas like mental health, rehabilitation, and physical therapy.

Your pain management specialist can help to figure out a comprehensive plan to treat your pain, even when it comes to bringing others onboard.

What Happens When You Visit a Pain Management Specialist?

When you are ready to head to a pain management specialist, come prepared with information. Your specialist will need to know what tests you’ve had done, what medications you’ve taken and what procedures you’ve have done. They may have you fill out a questionnaire before you come in for a visit so they have the information they need.

If you’ve had any imaging done, like X-rays, CAT scans or MRI, be sure to bring copies of the images for your pain management specialist. All of this data will help to get you on the right path from your first visit.

Expect a physical and a question and answer session during your initial visit. If you need any tests done, your pain management specialist will let you know. Ideally, you should ask if any tests are expected when you are scheduling your first appointment so you can plan accordingly. Depending on the test, you might need to fast beforehand or have someone drive you home after.

Ongoing pain doesn’t have to be a mystery. Let a pain management specialist help you find answers and get your life back.

/by