Services

At CC4PM we realize that your pain affects you emotionally as well as physically. Pain can cause stress and even depression due to its control over your quality of life. Because of the emotional toll pain can take, CC4PM provides through affiliation with Stress Care Behavioral health under the direction of Dr. Glenn Swimmer a complete range of psychological support services.

• Psychological Assessment & Counseling
• Relaxation Techniques
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Massage Therapy
• Pain Support Groups-scheduled regularly-call the office for the next date

Common Treatments and Procedures

CC4PM’s goal is to utilize the most minimally invasive pain management remedy necessary for each patient. Although we cannot guarantee that every patient will be rid of all pain after treatment, the vast majority improve significantly through our intervention. We offer a wide variety of treatment options, and sometimes a combination of these may be used to fit the patient’s requirements. Options are listed below. For more information click on the Patient Education & Media tab to the left:

1. Trigger Point Injection/ Nerve Blocks: The cause of your muscle pain or spasms maybe one or more trigger points. This injection is done in the comfort of the physician’s office. The physician will feel and stretch the muscle to find the trigger point. The physician will then do a series of injections with various medications to best relieve the pain. This type of injection may help you increase movement and may help the muscle heal.
   
   
2. Sympathetic Nerve Block: This injection “blocks” the sympathetic nerves the area of your pain. This injection is often used to treat RSD or CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.)
   
   
3. Facet Joint Injection: Back or neck pain may be caused by a problem with your facet joints. With this treatment, medication is injected into certain facet joints under fluoroscopy (x-ray). This injection can help your doctor find problem joints. These injections may help relieve your pain.
   
   
4. Epidural Injections/Blocks: This injection is used for certain types of pain. This injection is given under fluoroscopy (x-ray) and may contain local anesthetic or steroids to reduce inflammation. These injections can be done in a series and provide pain relief. At CC4PM we perform many of these injections using the transforminal technique (see animation on PATIENT EDUCATION and MEDIA PAGE), which provides in most cases a better response than traditional approaches.
   
   
5. Discogram: This is a test in which contrast fluid is injected into a disc in your spine. The test helps pinpoint which is causing your back or leg pain. It is often done when certain treatments for your pain are being considered. As part of the test, an image of the disc is taken. This image shows where and how the disc is damaged.
   
   
6. IDET: This is a significant medical advancement in the treatment of contained herniated discs. Because of its new technology, Disc Nucleoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure. It is a fast treatment that requires only local anesthesia and a mild sedative. Recovery is rapid with no bracing necessary. The procedure is much like having an epidural steroid injection. First, you will be given a local anesthetic. Then, your doctor will insert a needle into the center of the herniated disc. The needle emits radio waves that dissolve excess tissue, reducing the size of the bulge. This relieves the pressure in the disc and also against the nerves. When the pressure is relieved, the symptoms are relieved. Disc Nucleoplasty new technology allows for a quick recovery. For more information see www.smith-nephew.com/.
   
   
7. Percutaneous Lumbar Discectomy (DEKOMPRESSOR): This is a minimally invasive treatment for herniation of the discs. This procedure is done with light sedation and local anesthetic. The lumbar discectomy probe is inserted into the herniated disc and using heat removes disc tissue, which may relieve painful pressure on the surrounding nerves. Total procedure time is less than 1 hour. For more information see www.inst.strykercorp.com/.
   
   
8. Vertebrapasty: This is a minimally invasive treatment for patient suffering from a weakness of the vertebral body. This procedure stabilizes the vertebral body by using medical grade cement that is injected into the vertebral space and hardens immediately to provide needed support and decrease the pain.
   
   
9. Radio frequency (RF) Lesioning: RF is used to interrupt pain signals by heating up and destroying specific nerve tissue. The RF energy is applied through a small needle the physician places in the area of your pain under the guidance fluoroscopy (X-Ray). This procedure is done under a light sedation and using local anesthesia in a hospital setting. This technology can provide lasting pain relief and has a wide range of useful applications to control your pain.
   
   
10. Spinal Cord Stimulation: This implantable medical device is very effective in treating chronic pain that is due to nerve damage or neuropathy. Before a stimulator is permanently implanted you must go through a trial period (Stage 1) with a temporary system. Depending on your pain pattern, the physician may insert one or two leads in to your epidural space. These leads conduct electrical current that masks or blocks the pain signals to your brain and replaces it with a tingling or massaging feeling called “parenthesis.” The trial period is usually 1-3 days. If you are pleased with the pain relief you will be scheduled for the permanent implant (Stage 2). Stage 2 involves the same lead placement as the trial but the leads are placed under your skin and connected to an IPG (Implantable Pulse Generator) or Radio Frequency system. For more details, see www.ans-medical.com.
    
    
11. Intrathecal Drug Pump: This implantable medical device can be effective at treating chronic nociceptive pain. Before a pump is permanently implanted you must go through a trial period (Stage 1) with a temporary system. A small catheter is placed in your intrathecal space of your spine where medication is released to reduce or control your pain. This trial is usually 1-3 days. If successful at providing you relief, you will be scheduled for the permanent pump. Similar to your trial, a catheter is placed in your intrathecal space of your spine and then connected to a pump that has a reservoir that hold very concentrated medication. This pump comes in various sizes and dosing technologies. Discuss with your physician what technology would be best for your condition. www.medtronic.com

For General Medical and / or Pain Centers information ASK HERE!

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