Article

Pain Medicine of York, LLC

AMA Glossary

Pain Medicine of York, LLC: STEPHEN O. LAUCKS, MD: Article


		Pain Medicine of York, LLC
			STEPHEN O. LAUCKS, MD
			Location
			Specialties
			Care Philosophy
			PAMELA LAUCKS
			Cervical Epidural Steroid Inj.
			Lumbar Sympathetic Block
			Stellate Ganglion Block
			Sacro-iliac Joint Injection
			Occipital Nerve Block
			Referrals
			Billing Questions
			Shoulder Injection
			How to Register for Online Consu
			Cervical Facet Injection
			Thoracic Facet Injection
			Hip Joint Injection
			Lumbar Facet Injection
			Selective Nerve Root Block
			Discogram
			Pre-Procedure Instructions
			Post-Procedure Instructions
			Steroid Side Effects
			Qualifications: Dr. Laucks
			SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
			Arthritis of the Thumb
			Trigger Point Injections
			Knee Joint Injection
			Intercostal Nerve Block
			Carpal Tunnel Injection
			Custom Page
			How to Use Secure Messaging
			Caudal Epidural Steroid
			Lumbar Epidural Steroid Inj.
			Privacy Policy


		Stephen O. Laucks, MD

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<font size=2>JAMA Patient Page:</font><br>Pain Management

JAMA Patient Page:
Pain Management

Every person experiences pain at one time or another. Pain may be related to an injury, a surgical procedure or a medical problem. Pain can come from an illness or can be the result of a combination of factors. Each person experiences pain in an individual way. Different kinds of pain may cause a variety of pain-related problems.

There are many ways to treat pain. Treatment often depends on identifying the cause of the pain. Sometimes simple therapies are not enough to treat persons with a difficult pain problem. For these patients, there are doctors who specialize in treatment of pain. These physicians may have backgrounds in a variety of medical specialties.

The November 12, 2003, issue of JAMA is a theme issue devoted to articles about pain and pain management.

Types of Pain

Acute — injury, inflammation, surgery, childbirth
Chronic — pain problems of long duration
Neuropathic — from diseases of the nerves or from injury to nerves
Cancer — pain related to malignant disease or tumors and their effects on the body

See your doctor if you experience a pain problem that is unusual for you. Early diagnosis and treatment of pain problems can lessen their effects on the body and the mind. Because pain also has emotional effects, your doctor may suggest ways other than medications to help you manage your pain problem.

Pain Treatments

Rest or exercise
Heat or ice
Physical therapy
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen or naproxen)
Opioid (narcotic) medications taken by mouth, injection or rectal administration
Antidepressant medications
Stress reduction
Nerve block (injection of anesthetic around a nerve)
Transdermal (through the skin) medications
Epidural (space outside the spinal cord covering) or spinal (space inside the spinal covering) injections
Implantation of pumps (for medications) or spinal cord stimulators
Psychotherapy (talking with a mental health professional)

Fear of addiction to narcotic medications stops some persons from treating their pain adequately. Narcotic medications, when used properly under the supervision of your doctor, may be useful in treating severe pain, cancer pain or difficult chronic pain problems.

For More Information

American Pain Foundation
(888) 615-PAIN (7246)
www.painfoundation.org

American Society of Anesthesiologists
(800) 562-8666
www.asahq.org/patientEducation/managepain.htm

American Cancer Society
(800) 227-2345
www.cancer.org

Inform Yourself

To find this and previous JAMA Patient Pages, go to the Patient Page link on JAMA's Web site at www.jama.com. Many are available in English and Spanish.

Related JAMA Patient Pages

JAMA Patient Page: Managing Pain (April 5, 2000)
JAMA Patient Page: Coping With Back Pain (December 6, 2000)
JAMA Patient Page: Oh My Aching Back — What You Should Know About Preventing and Treating Low Back Pain (June 19, 1998)

Sources: American Board of Pain Medicine, American Cancer Society, American Pain Foundation, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, American Society of Anesthesiologists

Janet M.Torpy, M.D., Writer
Cassio Lynm, M.A., Illustrator
Richard M.Glass, M.D., Editor

(JAMA. 2000; 290: 2504)
Published in JAMA: November 12, 2003

The JAMA Patient Page is a public service of JAMA. The information and recommendations appearing on this page are appropriate in most instances, but they are not a substitute for medical diagnosis. For specific information concerning your personal medical condition, JAMA suggests that you consult your physician. This page may be photocopied noncommercially by physicians and other health care professionals to share with patients. Any other print or online reproduction is subject to AMA approval. To purchase bulk reprints, call (718) 946-7424.

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