Chronic Pain

Chronic pain can affect you physically and emotionally, sharply diminishing your quality of life. If you’re feeling hopeless about chronic pain, the team of premier board-certified physicians at Pain Management Centers of New England can change everything with their innovative approaches. They provide the most advanced options in pharmacological, rehabilitative, and interventional treatments conveniently in three locations in Gloucester, Danvers, and Newburyport, Massachusetts. If you’re ready to learn more about chronic pain relief, call the nearest office or click the online scheduler for help today.

What is chronic pain?

By definition, chronic pain lasts for at least three months, but if it goes untreated, it often lingers far longer. It persists even when the injury or condition causing your pain is treated. Chronic pain often happens because the nervous system continues to generate pain signals when it shouldn’t. 

How are chronic and acute pain different?

Acute pain is usually brief, typically occurring due to an injury or illness. After treatment, acute pain subsides. Broken bones and sports injuries are examples of acute pain.

Acute pain that isn’t treated, however, may become chronic. Chronic pain can also occur in people with conditions such as:

• Arthritis
• Lumbar spinal stenosis
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Cancer
• Herniated disc
• Complex regional pain syndrome
• Fibromyalgia

There are many other sources of chronic pain as well. 

When does chronic pain require treatment?

Chronic pain can interfere with your work, productivity, mood, sleep, and every other aspect of your life. Trying to get control over the pain, but failing repeatedly, can make things much worse, often causing depression, anxiety, and irritability. 

If you feel that chronic pain is disrupting your life and you’ve lost control over your pain, it’s time to think about pain management. 

The Pain Management Centers of New England team recognizes the devastating effects of chronic pain. The board-certified doctors have specialized training in leading-edge treatments that are uniquely suited to this type of pain so you can finally gain control and feel better.

How is chronic pain treated?

The team helps you manage chronic pain effectively, preventing it from taking a severe toll on your physical and emotional wellness. They offer a range of approaches, including: 

Pharmacological 

Pharmacological treatments (medication management), include drugs of all types. The team can prescribe medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioid analgesics, muscle relaxants, tricyclic antidepressants, and anticonvulsants based on your individual needs. 

Interventional treatments

Interventional treatments include epidural steroid injections, minimally invasive lumbar decompression (mild®), Nevro HFX™ spinal cord stimulation,  the Intracept® radiofrequency ablation procedure, and kyphoplasty, along with many others. These treatments can offer extended relief from chronic pain. 

Rehabilitative

Rehabilitative treatments include physical therapy and behavioral counseling, often paired together. 

The team also recommends alternative treatments such as Reiki healing and massage therapy either in place of other approaches or as a complement to them. 

Call the nearest Pain Management Centers of New England location nearest you or click on the convenient online scheduler to make your appointment now.