INTEGRATED PAIN AND LIFESTYLE MEDICINE
WHAT IS IT AND WHY ARE WE DOING IT?
We are beginning to realise that chronic pain is quite complex and there may not be straight forward quick fixes like a pill or surgery for most pains. Chronic pain is a long-term medical condition that can have a profound impact on your health and your ability to live comfortably.
Integrated trauma informed pain management is a patient-centred approach that combines various treatment methods to provide holistic relief from chronic pain. Instead of relying solely on medication or a single treatment type, integrated pain management brings together physical therapy, psychological support, medication, and mind-body treatments like mindfulness or yoga. By focusing on the entire person not just the pain this approach aims to improve overall well-being and help patients regain control over their lives and can be transformational and profoundly empowering.
This kind of empowerment aim to help you become the director of your own healing journey. We use education, lifestyle interventions and various therapeutic tools that you can incorporate into day-to-day life.
Such an approach is now best practice for complex pain problems such as:
- Fibromyalgia and Longcovid
- Chronic abdominal, back and/or neck pain
- Myofascial pain
- Chronic headache syndromes
- Arthritis and other autoimmune disorders
We emphasize healthy lifestyle changes that address the emotional dimensions of chronic pain and the ability to function socially. Our program follows a detailed road map which will include a comprehensive evaluation, of all factors that affect your pain , followed by any lab tests and imaging that may be needed. Treatments include
- Detailed nutritional and exercise recommendations
- Prescription of low-risk, non-addicting medications
- Injections like Trigger point injections/Peripheral nerve blocks and spinal injections when appropriate
- Referral for psychological support and access to other mind body therapists as needed
For patients living with chronic pain, integrated pain management offers hope where other treatments may have fallen short. It creates a personalized treatment plan designed to address not only the physical discomfort but also the emotional and psychological challenges that accompany chronic pain. With a combination of therapies, patients can experience a reduction in pain, improved mobility, and a better quality of lifeāall while feeling empowered to actively participate in their own recovery.