Business Insights- Debunking Common Myths Surrounding Pain Management Myth: Pain management is contributing to the growing opioid epidemic. Fact: Interventional and conventional medication pain management actually reduces the need for long-term use of opioids. Myth: Pain management is only meant for patients post-surgery. Fact: In addition to post-surgical pain, there are modalities to treat chronic pain conditions such as spinal stenosis, radiculopathy, neuropathy, spondylosis, and osteoarthritis. Acute conditions from auto accidents and workplace injuries can also be treated. Myth: Pain can only be alleviated with addictive medications. Fact: Long-term medication management can include non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (prescription-strength), neuropathic (nerve- calming) medications, muscle relaxants, etc. Myth: Pain management specialists do not understand how pain is affecting my daily life and quality of life. Fact: Our pain management specialists spend time speaking with patients to see which of their pain generators (BTW, there can be multiple pain generators for one area of pain) is affecting their daily life the most and go in that order for targeting the causes. Myth: I don't need to consult a pain management doctor if I had a sports injury, and should instead use home remedies long- term. Fact: Sports injuries may require conservative management to start off with, but most injuries can persist leading to the need for interventions. Without these modalities, pain can affect the quality of life long-term. Myth: MRIs and X-rays are not necessary after an injury or chronic pain. Presented by Shooa Mohammadi, MPH for Northwest Suburban Pain Center Northwest Suburban Pain Center Northwest Suburban Pain Center Pain Management Myths Fact: It is necessary to start off with basic imaging to rule-out fractures and acute conditions. Advanced imaging such as MRIs and CT scans are needed to look for conditions such as spinal stenosis, facet cysts, degenerative changes of the discs, and EMGS for neuropathy and radiculopathy. Myth: Pain management uses interventions that provide short-term relief. Fact: Pain management uses interventions that provide targeted medication administration against the specific pain generator. This ensures that the full medication is used in a targeted way versus affecting the entire body. This has been found to be better than taking oral medications long-term which in turn affects the whole body. Myth: Physical therapy does not help with chronic pain. Fact: Physical therapy plays a great role in strengthening the core muscles, and offers modalities such as electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and home exercise regimens. PT works extremely well in combination with interventional management. Myth: Seeing a pain management doctor is difficult to fit into my busy schedule. Fact: We provide the shortest wait time for our patients depending on the intensity of pain presentation. Please call us today at 847-255-0900. Northwest Suburban Pain Associates 1675 S. Arlington Heights Rd. Arlington Heights, IL 60005 847-255-0900 nwpaincenter.com Business Insights Debunking Common Myths Surrounding Pain Management Myth : Pain management is contributing to the growing opioid epidemic . Fact : Interventional and conventional medication pain management actually reduces the need for long - term use of opioids . Myth : Pain management is only meant for patients post - surgery . Fact : In addition to post - surgical pain , there are modalities to treat chronic pain conditions such as spinal stenosis , radiculopathy , neuropathy , spondylosis , and osteoarthritis . Acute conditions from auto accidents and workplace injuries can also be treated . Myth : Pain can only be alleviated with addictive medications . Fact : Long - term medication management can include non - steroidal anti - inflammatories ( prescription - strength ) , neuropathic ( nerve calming ) medications , muscle relaxants , etc. Myth : Pain management specialists do not understand how pain is affecting my daily life and quality of life . Fact : Our pain management specialists spend time speaking with patients to see which of their pain generators ( BTW , there can be multiple pain generators for one area of pain ) is affecting their daily life the most and go in that order for targeting the causes . Myth : I don't need to consult a pain management doctor if I had a sports injury , and should instead use home remedies long term . Fact : Sports injuries may require conservative management to start off with , but most injuries can persist leading to the need for interventions . Without these modalities , pain can affect the quality of life long - term . Myth : MRIs and X - rays are not necessary after an injury or chronic pain . Presented by Shooa Mohammadi , MPH for Northwest Suburban Pain Center Northwest Suburban Pain Center Northwest Suburban Pain Center Pain Management Myths Fact : It is necessary to start off with basic imaging to rule - out fractures and acute conditions . Advanced imaging such as MRIs and CT scans are needed to look for conditions such as spinal stenosis , facet cysts , degenerative changes of the discs , and EMGS for neuropathy and radiculopathy . Myth : Pain management uses interventions that provide short - term relief . Fact : Pain management uses interventions that provide targeted medication administration against the specific pain generator . This ensures that the full medication is used in a targeted way versus affecting the entire body . This has been found to be better than taking oral medications long - term which in turn affects the whole body . Myth : Physical therapy does not help with chronic pain . Fact : Physical therapy plays a great role in strengthening the core muscles , and offers modalities such as electrical stimulation , ultrasound , and home exercise regimens . PT works extremely well in combination with interventional management . Myth : Seeing a pain management doctor is difficult to fit into my busy schedule . Fact : We provide the shortest wait time for our patients depending on the intensity of pain presentation . Please call us today at 847-255-0900 . Northwest Suburban Pain Associates 1675 S. Arlington Heights Rd . Arlington Heights , IL 60005 847-255-0900 nwpaincenter.com