Do you see patients who have been in auto or work-related accidents?

Yes. Automobile and work-related injuries are a common cause of chronic spine pain and are very effectively diagnosed and treated by our physicians.

What do you mean by “Interventional Pain Management”?

“Interventional Pain Management” means that meticulously performed minimally invasive interventions (or procedures) are a key component in the diagnosis and treatment of a patient’s pain.

What is “Minimally Invasive”?

“Minimally Invasive” simply means that the majority of the procedures we perform (with few exceptions) are done percutaneously (through the skin). Percutaneous procedures involve the introduction of very small needles or needle-like instruments, and do not require stitches afterwards. This approach means that the risk of infection and complications, while still present, is minimized.

How are your procedures different from the other shots I have gotten?

Injections performed at Advanced Pain Centers are used predominantly for diagnostic purposes. These diagnostic injections require precise placement of specific analgesic medications at the structures that are suspected to cause pain. Theses procedures require specialized techniques and imaging equipment to assure pinpoint accuracy, and are performed in a state-of-the-art, sterile fluoroscopy suite to provide appropriate safeguards against infection.

How is precision determined and achieved when the injection is given?

Precision of location of the injection is not only important for safety, but for overall efficacy of the treatment as well. Therefore, to ensure complete precision of where the injection needle is placed, the physicians at Advanced Pain Centers insist on always performing procedures through X-Ray machine guidance. Through X-ray guidance, we can easily locate the proper and precise location of where to administer the injection. To do so without this type of guidance would not be as simple or safe. With this “fool-proofing” technique and the years of experience our physicians have, we never inject in the wrong spot. 

Does the injection hurt?

Most injections hurt about the same as an IV. However, anxiety about the procedure can exacerbate perceived pain. Therefore, procedures can be done under local anesthesia or twilight sedation.

How long are the procedures?

All of our procedures are performed on an outpatient basis. Although most procedures are relatively short (less than 15 minutes), a patient spends approximately 1 hour at our facility on the day of a procedure, as a careful evaluation before and after the procedure is performed. We have extensive experience in caring for patients from all over the United States and other countries. Diagnostic and subsequent treatment can require several visits, which can often be scheduled in advance to minimize time away from home or work.

What should I expect on the day of my appointment?

When it is your turn to see the doctor, you will be given a typical hospital gown to wear to preserve your clothing. You will then be given an IV for use of either mild sedation or a requested antibiotic, to be administered during the procedure. You will be asked to lie on a medical bed either on your back or stomach, depending on the procedure. Sedation will be adminstered once you are positioned, if requested. The doctor will proceed and you may feel a small pinch or pressure during the injection. Throughout the procedure, your blood pressure and vital signs are closely monitored. Once the procedure is complete, whether sedation or anesthetic is used, you will be guided to gently get up and move to a recliner to rest for a short time before you leave the office. You will be fully awake; the doctor simply wishes to ensure that are not too “woozy” before leaving. If you have chosen to have sedation, you will need to have someone come with you to drive you back home. This is only precautionary. You will be awake; however, your reflexes may be a little slower if you have any residual grogginess. If you do experience grogginess, it typically is only for a very brief time after the procedure. You should feel back to your normal state of alertness by the end of the day. 

Do I need a referral?

Most patients are referred by physicians or other healthcare providers who are familiar with the services we provide. Our field is highly specialized and some physicians and other providers may not be familiar with either the field in general, or our evidence-based approach. This means that the patient must sometimes ask their provider for a referral. Patients are welcome to contact us directly for information.

Is what you do experimental?

No. Procedures performed by our physicians are recognized by numerous specialty societies, the American Medical Association, and have been demonstrated to be safe and effective when performed appropriately. We do have research trials and studies where we utilize proven and accepted procedures or technologies for new indications.

How do I make an appointment/get treatment?

The easiest way is to have your physician or other healthcare provider make a referral. Asking your physician’s office to send records or studies pertinent to your pain history can help to expedite the process. Our physicians review all referrals to be sure that the patients we see are good candidates for the services we provide. If necessary, our physicians may contact your provider with questions about your problems. Patients are welcome to contact us directly with questions about access to our services. Please note that our staff cannot answer medical questions and our physicians do not perform “telephone consultations”.

Does Advanced Pain Centers take my insurance?

Advanced Pain Centers contracts with a number of major insurance plans. Sometimes insurance companies have different plans that provide various coverage levels for each plan. It’s best for your referring provider or for you to provide us with your current insurance information at the time of the referral. Direct payment is an option and we have a finance plan in place.