Mercy’s Pain Management Service sees a variety of patients with various complaints, including back and neck pain, soft tissue pain, neuropathic pain, headache, shingles and cancer pain.

To treat these many forms of pain, physicians apply a multi-disciplinary approach.  “Right now, we’re using standard pharmacologics, invasive and implantable techniques.  We can perform cryosurgery, radiofrequency, and in some cases, we utilize implantable hardware such as opiod pumps or neurological stimulators.  Stimulators work by creating an overlying sensation which replaces pain.  We also employ nerve and epidural blocks.”  The Pain Management Service also recommends non-invasive treatments such as relaxation techniques and biofeedback.  Physical rehabilitation is stressed, and the Service works closely with a number of physical therapists.

The goal of Mercy’s Pain Management Service is total relief, or as substantial relief as possible.  There is an emphasis on return to function.  Quality of life is our paramount concern.  The Pain Management Staff offers recommendations and clearly defines benefits and risk of each course of action or procedure offered.  Patients and referring physicians are always informed of findings and proposed treatment plans.

Because we try to develop an individualized program for each patient, and initial assessment is always performed.  Beyond providing specialty medical care, the medical team acts as patient advocate.  The Pain Management Service also works closely with other Mercy Medical Center services such as Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Oncology and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Our utilization of the latest techniques and technologies allows us to help identify pain generators and set up therapeutic regimens.  Using a multi-disciplinary type approach, our staff can help coordinate intervention by other medical specialties when needed.  We strive to reduce or eliminate chronic pain through a diagnosis guided treatment plan.  The ultimate goal of this process is an improvement in the quality of live with heightened comfort levels and a return to prior, accustomed levels of functioning.

For more information, please call (516) 705-1333.