Pain Management at Urban Health for a Better Tomorrow
Pain management is complex and often requires treatment from multiple medical interventions and therapies to ease the suffering of those with acute and chronic medical conditions. Pain is a public health challenge, especially for vulnerable populations.
There are societal impacts such as rising health costs, lost productivity, drug abuse issues, and an overall decline in quality of life. Patients living with chronic pain often experience physical, emotional, and psychological impacts.
They can have mental health issues such as anxiety, fear, anger, isolation, and depression. Pain causes restrictions and limitations in function and activities of daily living. This results in a subsequent decline in work, social, recreational, and self-care activities.
The caring and compassionate medical staff at Urban Health offers a complete range of health services for the management of acute and chronic pain. Our medical staff, Dr. J. Gonzalez, Dr. A. Moreno and Wendimere Reilly, RDN, LDN, takes pain prevention very seriously.
We have a range of advanced treatment options for pain management. An assessment done in our office can differentiate between the sources of chronic and acute pain. Examples are bone pain, soft tissue pain, nerve pain, referral pain, or phantom pain.
In an evaluation, our practitioners investigate how the pain developed and changed over time. Determining whether it is the result of a traumatic injury or illness or a response to an underlying chronic condition is essential.
Some of the testing conducted in our primary care office is nerve conduction testing to assess nerve damage and ultrasound to evaluate the musculoskeletal system, x-rays, and lab work.
At Urban Health, a multifaceted approach is utilized for pain management. Examples of interventions include:
- The careful management and monitoring of pharmacologic options such a prescription and over the counter medications. The treatment of mild to moderate pain can be treated with non-opioid oral or topical analgesics or other classifications of drugs such as tramadol, antidepressants, and anticonvulsive medications. As the pain escalates to a higher intensity, opioid analgesic drugs may be appropriate. Pain management requires frequent monitoring by a physician and an individualized treatment plan for each patient. Patients must be educated as to the proper usage of pain medications and their risks. The frequency, dosages, safe storage practices, and the need for timely refills must be specified.
- Lifestyle changes through diet and nutrition are useful in the treatment of pain. Research supports that a link exists between poor nutrition and the subsequent disease processes that result in pain. An example is a diabetic condition that can lead to health complications such as heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, neuropathy, and amputations. A nutritious diet can be a necessary intervention in the prevention of diabetes and other metabolic disorders. Some foods produce an anti-inflammatory response in the body, which can relieve elements of pain. A proper diet can lower the risk for common health conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, depression, cancer, and high blood pressure.
- A weight loss program can reduce pain by easing mechanical stress on the body, thereby decreasing musculoskeletal pain. Prolonged weight on the joints of the body causes inflammation and increases the risk of osteoarthritis.
- Research has found links between obesity and diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other health issues. At Urban Health, we are the first primary care practice in the country that has a full-time dietician nutritionist. Wendimere Reilly, RDN, LDN can assist our patients that experience pain issues. She is available for individual appointments, group sessions, or community outreach programs for nutritional support or weight loss issues.
- It is important to discuss possible side effects and interactions with medications before beginning a vitamin and supplement regime. The medical practitioners at Urban Health are knowledgeable about drug interactions with supplements and vitamins. They can recommend the proper types and dosages. Those at high risk for interactions are patients receiving anticoagulants, cardiovascular medications, psychiatric drugs, diabetics, or some anti-viral medications.
We Believe Nobody Should Have to Live With Pain
At Urban Health, we understand that pain has a disabling impact on every aspect of your daily life. Persistent pain is debilitating and can lead to immobility, malnutrition, and an increased risk of falls.
Following an injury or a surgical procedure, chronic pain slows rehabilitation efforts, resulting in negative consequences for the patient and their family. Pain correlates with a withdrawal from social functioning, sleep disturbances, weight loss, and depression.
Other symptoms include anxiety, agitation, and a preoccupation with a patient’s physical health. When adequately treated, the consequences of pain can be reversed.
Contact Us For More Information About Pain Management
At Urban Health, we want to help you restore your functional independence and quality of life. Our primary care practice’s focus is to find the source of your pain and coordinate your treatment options to alleviate your emotional and physical distress.
Dr. J. Gonzalez, Dr. Jose A. Moreno, and Wendimere Reilly, RDN, LDN, offer customized, innovative approaches for pain relief.
Call our Clermont, Florida office at 352-394-5535, to schedule an appointment with our medical staff. We look forward to discussing and evaluating your pain challenges. Working together, we can create a treatment plan that will help you meet your goals for a better life.