According to the CDC, chronic pain affects around 51 million people in the United States, which is a whopping 20.9% of our citizens. Unfortunately, many people turn to opioids, illegal and legal, to deal with chronic pain, which has turned into a major problem.
Opioids aren't always necessary for pain management; various other options reduce chronic pain and improve quality of life. At Delmarva Pain and Spine Center, Dr. Shachi Patel offers pain management services to patients in Newark, Delaware.
Dr. Patel is an experienced anesthesiologist providing joint injections, radiofrequency ablation, and regenerative medicine treatments. She addresses problems like sciatica, CRPS, and neuropathy.
Opioids are drugs that come from the poppy plant but also include synthetic versions for pain control. These drugs activate the opioid receptors in the brain, causing symptoms like euphoria and sedative effects. These symptoms are the reasons some people abuse opioid drugs.
Doctors prescribe opioid medications to eliminate severe pain from injuries, surgery, and chronic conditions – but they're a short-term fix. The longer you take opioids, the more likely you'll become addicted.
Morphine, fentanyl, and codeine are well-known opioids that you may come in contact with at some point. All of these drugs are addictive when you take them for long periods, and they come with hefty side effects.
Opioid addiction is a growing epidemic that takes the lives of many – but it's completely avoidable by simply removing opioids from the equation. Pain management involves getting to the root of the problem and providing alternative treatments to eliminate pain.
Pain is a complex feeling that everyone experiences differently; no one-size-fits-all plan works for everyone. Pain management is a branch of medicine that focuses on relieving chronic pain.
Pain management aims to reduce pain, improve quality of life, and allow you to enjoy normal activities. We carefully evaluate pain symptoms and your medical history to determine the best treatment route.
Pain management may include one type of therapy or a combination of treatments to tackle the root cause of pain and provide long-term relief. However, it's not always a "cure" for pain; various strategies help you manage discomfort to improve your quality of life.
Traditional pain management treatments sometimes include oral medications like opioids, but they're only a short-term fix. We work to get to the cause of pain and provide other forms of therapy to help you finally get some relief without the fear of addiction or unwanted side effects.
Opioids are a thing of the past – mainly because of their addictive qualities. However, pain relief is still achievable through other strategies.
Our pain management techniques help you live a comfortable life without opioids and addiction. They're not the only treatment option for acute or chronic pain; many other strategies provide more extended pain relief without worry or addiction.
The secret to beating pain without opioids is through finding a treatment that works for your needs. We tailor our treatment plans to address the cause of your pain and give you long-term relief to relieve discomfort in the past.
We offer joint injections for arthritis and other forms of chronic joint pain and epidural steroid injections for intractable back pain. Radiofrequency ablation is an option for nerve-related back or neck pain, such as sciatica.
Surgical procedures are another aspect of pain management for chronic pain that doesn't respond to less invasive treatments. We offer spinal cord stimulation, intrathecal pain pumps, and the innovative MILD® procedure to eliminate pain without the need for opioid pain medications.
Pain management allows you to find a customized treatment plan that doesn't involve addictive medications for ultimate pain relief.
To learn more about our pain management treatment, call our Newark, Delaware, office to schedule an appointment or request a consultation with Dr. Patel on our website.
