Pain Management

Pain is defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage (IASP 1978). Pain is inherently personal and is influenced by various biological, psychological, and social factors.

Pain Management focuses on diagnosing and treating patients suffering from both acute and chronic pain, whether benign or cancer-related.

Comprehensive Pain Management Services at Arsbiomedica

At Arsbiomedica, we provide an integrated pain management service with a team of highly skilled professionals. We uphold the highest standards of care through technologically advanced treatments, all supported by scientific evidence. Our approach includes both conservative and interventional procedures.

The goal of pain therapy is not only to alleviate pain but also to enhance the overall well-being of the patient through a bio-psycho-social approach.

Initial Consultation and Personalized Treatment Planning

Before embarking on a pain management plan, an initial consultation is essential. This first visit involves a thorough assessment by a team of qualified specialists, including experts in anesthesiology and resuscitation, to ensure accurate diagnosis and effective pain management.

This comprehensive evaluation allows us to develop an integrated therapeutic plan, focusing on analyzing the cause and manifestation of the pain. The plan is structured in close cooperation with the patient and their family, aiming for a fully humanized service that places the patient at the heart of the therapeutic process.

Who Can Benefit from Pain Management?

Pain management is designed for a wide range of patients suffering from various acute or chronic pain conditions, whether related to cancer or not. Common conditions we treat include:

• Spinal Disorders: Low back pain, herniated discs, failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), and post-surgical spinal pain.
• Rheumatologic Conditions: Fibromyalgia and arthritis.
• Orthopedic Issues: Various musculoskeletal problems.
• Oncological Pain: Pain associated with cancer and its treatment.

Multidisciplinary Approach

Our pain management treatment plan is multidisciplinary. Anesthesiologists collaborate with other specialists such as neurosurgeons, orthopedists, oncologists, internists, and rheumatologists to provide comprehensive care.

Collaboration with orthopedic specialists is particularly crucial for cases where surgery is not recommended or feasible. In such instances, pain management becomes the preferred approach.

At Arsbiomedica, our commitment to integrated care ensures that every aspect of a patient’s pain and overall health is addressed with the highest level of expertise and compassion.

Comprehensive Pain Therapy Options

1. Rehabilitation:
   • Tailored programs focusing on physical therapy and exercises designed to restore function and reduce pain through movement and strength building.
2. Conservative Treatments:
   • Non-invasive methods such as medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications aimed at managing pain without surgical intervention.
3. Minimally Invasive Techniques:
   • Procedures like injections and other interventional therapies performed under imaging guidance to precisely target pain sources.
4. Neuromodulation:
   • Advanced treatments involving electrical stimulation or targeted pharmacological interventions to alter nerve activity and manage pain.

Effective pain management often depends on an integrated approach that not only focuses on medical treatments but also emphasizes a healthy lifestyle.

Research shows that a holistic approach, incorporating regular exercise, a balanced diet, and mental wellness practices, significantly contributes to the success of pain therapies.

Prevalence and Impact of Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a widespread issue. A landmark study by the World Health Organization in the 1990s found that 22% of individuals in primary care settings reported experiencing pain lasting more than six months. Recent reports from the European Council on chronic diseases highlight that between 16% and 46% of Europeans suffer from chronic pain. This translates to around 80 million people in Europe living with moderate to severe chronic pain. In Italy, the prevalence is about 26%, affecting approximately 13 million people. Alarmingly, 40% of these individuals are unaware of specialized pain management centers, despite 90% of chronic pain conditions being treatable.

Available Treatments

1. Infiltrative Therapy:
   • Procedures involving injections into the spine or joints to deliver medications directly to the source of pain. These treatments are performed under radiographic or ultrasound guidance to ensure precision.
2. Ozone Therapy:
   • Ozone therapy has potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. It can be administered both as a localized injection or as a systemic treatment (GAET – Great Auto-Hemotherapy) to address various painful conditions.
3. Radiofrequency Therapy:
   • Radiofrequency neuromodulation is a technique used to manage chronic pain by disrupting pain signal transmission along nerve fibers. It provides long-term relief for many chronic pain conditions.

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