Chronic Pain Management
Why do I have pain and what can I do about it?
Pain is one of most common complaints seen by primary care doctors today. It affects all age groups, and most people will experience at least one episode of lasting pain in their lifetime. Chronic pain currently affects an estimated 100 million Americans - more than heart disease, diabetes, and cancer combined. Although pain is one of the largest costs to our medical system, unfortunately we have few effective, conventionally available options for symptom relief. The good news, however, is that our understanding of the origins of pain has been growing rapidly in recent years, and novel new therapies to effectively manage pain without drugs or surgery are emerging. Dr. Powell uses a number of techniques to address pain.
The most foundational treatment for any patient with pain is Therapeutic Neuroscience Education, which is a complicated way of saying “educating patients about why they have pain.” This technique is at the forefront of pain management among both conventional and alternative providers because of its simplicity and great efficacy. The latest research studies have shown that educating patients using this technique results in significant pain reduction in 1/3rd of patients, far outperforming all other standard pain management techniques. When you start to understand why you have pain and the mechanisms your body uses to produce it, you will have the power to take back control of your pain, your activities, and your life.
Manual therapies performed in the office are another highly effective method for decreasing pain, improving everyday function and mobility, and decreasing healing time. The techniques used most commonly are massage, joint manipulation, and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), which employs a small metal tool to break up scar tissue in muscles and ligaments. This technique is a highly effective way to decrease the sensitivity of the nervous system to pain and get quick but lasting pain relief.
Movement is critical to managing pain and healing injuries (with the exception of recent, acute injuries). Integrating movement and exercise into your daily activities helps to bring blood and nutrients to injured tissues and clear out stagnant fluids. Additionally, specific rehabilitation exercises to do at home can help retrain the nervous system and decrease the sensitivity to pain. Instructional videos are provided to complete these gentle, 5-10 minute activities, which are performed 3 times daily.
Because pain influences so many aspects of our lives, patients with chronic pain often experience anxiety, depression, or other mood changes. Pain often forces us to change or limit our work, to give up the hobbies we enjoy, or modify our daily activities. This can lead to feelings of isolation, discouragement, or loss of control. Not only may these feelings decrease your quality of life, but they have actually been shown to make your pain worse! By addressing pain of the body and mind in concert, we can stop this vicious cycle of chronic pain and mood depression.
Finally, as part of our whole-person approach to health care, Dr. Powell will assess all aspects of your health that may be contributing to your pain or inhibiting proper healing. Depending on your individual need, nutritional and herbal supplements may be helpful to moderate pain levels and decrease healing time.
Dr. Karly Powell is specially trained in non-pharmaceutical pain management. Schedule an appointment today to learn about why you have pain and simple interventions that can help you control it.
Pain is one of most common complaints seen by primary care doctors today. It affects all age groups, and most people will experience at least one episode of lasting pain in their lifetime. Chronic pain currently affects an estimated 100 million Americans - more than heart disease, diabetes, and cancer combined. Although pain is one of the largest costs to our medical system, unfortunately we have few effective, conventionally available options for symptom relief. The good news, however, is that our understanding of the origins of pain has been growing rapidly in recent years, and novel new therapies to effectively manage pain without drugs or surgery are emerging. Dr. Powell uses a number of techniques to address pain.
The most foundational treatment for any patient with pain is Therapeutic Neuroscience Education, which is a complicated way of saying “educating patients about why they have pain.” This technique is at the forefront of pain management among both conventional and alternative providers because of its simplicity and great efficacy. The latest research studies have shown that educating patients using this technique results in significant pain reduction in 1/3rd of patients, far outperforming all other standard pain management techniques. When you start to understand why you have pain and the mechanisms your body uses to produce it, you will have the power to take back control of your pain, your activities, and your life.
Manual therapies performed in the office are another highly effective method for decreasing pain, improving everyday function and mobility, and decreasing healing time. The techniques used most commonly are massage, joint manipulation, and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), which employs a small metal tool to break up scar tissue in muscles and ligaments. This technique is a highly effective way to decrease the sensitivity of the nervous system to pain and get quick but lasting pain relief.
Movement is critical to managing pain and healing injuries (with the exception of recent, acute injuries). Integrating movement and exercise into your daily activities helps to bring blood and nutrients to injured tissues and clear out stagnant fluids. Additionally, specific rehabilitation exercises to do at home can help retrain the nervous system and decrease the sensitivity to pain. Instructional videos are provided to complete these gentle, 5-10 minute activities, which are performed 3 times daily.
Because pain influences so many aspects of our lives, patients with chronic pain often experience anxiety, depression, or other mood changes. Pain often forces us to change or limit our work, to give up the hobbies we enjoy, or modify our daily activities. This can lead to feelings of isolation, discouragement, or loss of control. Not only may these feelings decrease your quality of life, but they have actually been shown to make your pain worse! By addressing pain of the body and mind in concert, we can stop this vicious cycle of chronic pain and mood depression.
Finally, as part of our whole-person approach to health care, Dr. Powell will assess all aspects of your health that may be contributing to your pain or inhibiting proper healing. Depending on your individual need, nutritional and herbal supplements may be helpful to moderate pain levels and decrease healing time.
Dr. Karly Powell is specially trained in non-pharmaceutical pain management. Schedule an appointment today to learn about why you have pain and simple interventions that can help you control it.
HoursOffice hours:
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Saturdays by Appointment Only After hour supplement pickups can be arranged |
Telephone719-551-5282
719-426-9637 Fax: 719-639-2054 |
Address122 E. Las Animas
Colorado Springs, CO 80903 9395 Crown Crest Blvd. Parker, CO 80138 |
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