PAIN — it’s something everyone has experienced at one point or another. From chronic back pain to simply stubbing your toe, it’s a sensation shared among many, from young babies to older adults to everyone in between.
Pain is also a complex concept. It can be caused by any number of things, whether that’s illness, injury, or simply getting older. Not to mention, there are a wide variety of treatments.
Justin Roh, MD, pain management physician at Chester County Hospital in West Chester, PA, has dedicated his career to alleviating pain. "Pain is ubiquitous, and it can affect anybody. But our understanding of pain is very limited. Even to this day, there’s still new research coming out centered around pain and pain management," explains Dr. Roh. "It’s a very exciting and intellectually stimulating field of study."
Dr. Roh's interest in pain management is about more than just the exciting nature of the research behind pain — it also centers around patients. Pain can be a minor annoyance, or it can be completely debilitating.
"It gives me a great sense of joy and achievement to see patients' lives when they’re changed positively with the alleviation of the pain," Dr. Roh explains.
Pain is incredibly common in the US, including neck and back pain. But that doesn't mean you have to live with it. At Chester County Hospital, pain management physicians like Dr. Roh work with other pain specialists, including physical therapists and surgeons, to alleviate chronic pain and help patients return to their normal routine.
David Ong, PT MSc. is one of these clinicians, providing physical therapy intervention for patients experiencing pain, particularly related to the spine. One aspect he loves about his career is how complex the spine can be.
"I have found a passion for treating the spine. It presents multiple challenges that make me think on my toes and consider the various treatment approaches available to deal with different issues presented by a patient," explains David.
At Chester County Hospital in West Chester, PA, pain management is a team effort, including a variety of pain specialists and, of course, the patient. Here's a look at the pain management journey at Chester County Hospital — and how it can help you get back to your pain-free life.
What Causes Chronic Pain?
Pain is a complex condition. It can be a symptom of an underlying condition, or it can be a disorder in and of itself. Our clinicians are dedicated to identifying why you’re experiencing pain and what can be done to alleviate it.
"Because of our ability to spend one-on-one time with each patient, we are able to look into the various aspects that may be contributing to the ailments a patient presents with. We have the ability to look into potential factors — even factors involving daily habits, work duties and stresses — that can influence a patient's situation and contribute to the reasons for their painful experience," says David.
For instance, your body undergoes normal wear and tear as you get older. In fact, half of all adults in the US over 65 suffer from osteoarthritis. This is the most common form of arthritis and can lead to pain and stiffness in the neck or lower back.
Injury is another common cause of chronic pain, including car accidents or major falls. According to Dr. Roh, the trauma from these can lead to herniated discs or bone fractures — both common triggers of pain.
But candidates for pain management include more than people with arthritis or previous injuries. "Anybody who has significant pain that is negatively impacting their life can benefit from pain management," explains Dr. Roh.
Treating Pain: Finding the Right Journey for You
Just as pain is unique to each patient, so is the right treatment. At Chester County Hospital, pain management specialists work together to identify the cause of your pain and get you on the path to alleviating it.
For many patients, the first stop when experiencing pain is their primary care provider. Your primary care provider can refer you to a specialist, such as a pain management physician or a physical therapist.
Physical Therapy for Pain
From determining the cause of pain to treating it, physical therapy is often a major component of the pain management journey. During physical therapy appointments, physical therapists like David help identify the cause of pain, explore potential corrections (such as positional or movement changes that ease pain), and use exercises to prevent symptoms from returning.
For instance, your daily habits may influence how much pain you experience. If you’re like many people, you spend a lot of time sitting at a desk. While often necessary, this can eventually lead to neck and back pain. Physical therapy can provide you with exercises to relieve pain and prevent in the future.
When it comes to neck and back pain, David uses these 4 steps to explain physical therapy intervention:
- Identify and correct the possible cause of the pain.
- Support the spinal structure by building up and securing the muscles and tissues around the spine. This leads to long-term maintenance and prevents future problems.
- Promote flexibility and correct tightness to avoid unnecessary stress to the spine.
- Continue building strength to all parts of the body to support the spine during day-to-day activities.
"Physical therapy is almost an essential component to pain management. For a large number of pain conditions, physical therapy alone is often enough to significantly improve the pain," says Dr. Roh. "If patients do physical therapy in a steady and regular manner, then the body has the ability to heal itself."
However, as Dr. Roh explains, if pain remains persistent — or there is too much pain to even participate in physical therapy — other forms of pain management can help alleviate your discomfort and lead to more effective physical therapy sessions to promote even more healing.
Pain Management Beyond Physical Therapy
In addition to physical therapy, managing pain can take many forms, including:
- Medication
- Pain-relieving procedures, such as a nerve block (an injection to decrease inflammation and essentially "turn off" pain signals in your nerve)
- Alternative medicine, such as acupuncture
- Chiropractic care
- Exercise
- Behavioral therapies
- Counseling
- Lifestyle changes, such as a low inflammatory diet or quitting smoking
Depending on the cause and severity of your pain, surgery may also be an option. After surgery, it’s common to return to physical therapy to help you get moving again, regain flexibility, and refocus on stabilizing your core.
"Physical therapists work hand-in-hand with primary care physicians, sports medicine physicians, pain management specialists, and spine surgeons to see if a total care package can be provided to the patient. This will not only alleviate their present problems, but, more importantly, prevent future re-occurrences or regression of their condition," explains David.
Pain Management at Chester County Hospital: A Team Effort for Success
The pain management journey may not always be a straightforward one. But with your team of experienced and caring Chester County Hospital clinicians, you can be confident your journey is the right one for you.
In the words of David, your patient care team is a lot like the wheel of a bicycle. "The patient is the hub, and providers are the various spokes. No matter if we are the therapist, physician, pain specialist, social worker, or even the surgeon — we all work towards the betterment of the patient as a whole,” he explains. “Working together, we should be able to deliver the corrections needed for the wheel to function properly in daily life."
Of course, the wheel only works if you build it — and that starts with seeking care when you experience pain. "The earlier we treat the pain, the higher the chances of success," says Dr. Roh. "If patients wait for too long to seek help, it can become more difficult to control their pain in the long run."
Pain can put a serious strain on your daily life. With the right treatment approach, you can experience pain relief both now and in the future.
If you have questions about pain management, call our Physician Referral Service at 800-789-PENN (7366) or visit the Find a Doctor section of our website.
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